Hilltop ((HTH)) has held its Q1 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.
Hilltop Holdings Inc. recently held its earnings call, presenting a mixed sentiment with both positive and negative aspects. The company showcased strong capital management and growth in public finance revenues, alongside a significant gain from an investment sale. However, challenges were noted in the mortgage origination segment and fixed income market, with an increase in credit loss provisions and a decrease in total deposits.
Stable Net Interest Income
Hilltop Holdings Inc. managed to maintain stable net interest income despite a modest compression in the overall balance of earning assets. The company reported net interest income of $105 million, marking a 1.4% increase from the prior year, demonstrating resilience in its financial operations.
Increase in Public Finance Services Revenues
Hilltop Securities’ Public Finance Services reported a remarkable 34% year-over-year increase in net revenues, driven by an 11% increase in offerings. This growth highlights the company’s strong performance in the public finance sector.
Merchant Bank Investment Gain
The company reported a preliminary gain of $23.6 million from the sale of its investment in Mosier Energy Solutions. This positively impacted net income by $0.37 per diluted share, reflecting successful investment strategies.
Strong Capital Position
Hilltop Holdings maintains a robust capital position with a common equity tier one capital ratio of 21%. Additionally, there was an increase in tangible book value per share by $0.53, reaching $30 per share, underscoring the company’s financial strength.
Increase in Core Deposits
PlainsCapital Bank, a subsidiary of Hilltop, saw an increase in average core deposits by nearly $300 million year-over-year. This growth indicates strong customer retention and confidence in the bank’s services.
Mortgage Origination Segment Loss
PrimeLending, a division of Hilltop, reported a pretax loss of $8 million due to ongoing constraints in the mortgage market. Origination fees and related income decreased by 29 basis points year-over-year, reflecting the challenges faced in this segment.
Fixed Income Market Challenges
Hilltop Securities experienced a material decline in net revenues within the fixed income services line of business, with a 7% year-over-year decline. This highlights the difficulties the company faces in navigating the fixed income market.
Increase in Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses increased by $5 million to $106 million, driven by negative migration of certain credit relationships, including an $18 million office property with reduced occupancy. This increase indicates a cautious approach to potential credit risks.
Decrease in Total Deposits
Total deposits decreased by $233 million from the prior quarter, influenced by the payoff of $150 million of maturing senior debt and the movement of customer funds into other investment products. This shift reflects changing customer preferences.
Forward-Looking Guidance
Looking ahead, Hilltop Holdings Inc. reported a net income of $42 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025. PlainsCapital Bank contributed significantly with $40 million in pretax income on $13 billion of average assets. Despite challenges in the fixed income market, the broker-dealer segment performed well in wealth and public finance. PrimeLending faced a pretax loss of $8 million due to affordability challenges, but saw an increase in origination volume to $1.7 billion. The company maintained a strong capital position and returned $12 million to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases.
In summary, Hilltop Holdings Inc.’s earnings call painted a mixed picture with both strengths and challenges. The company demonstrated strong capital management and growth in public finance revenues, while facing hurdles in the mortgage origination and fixed income markets. Looking forward, Hilltop remains focused on maintaining its strong capital position and navigating market challenges effectively.