ConnectOne Bancorp price target raised to $34 from $31 at Raymond James

Raymond James raised the firm’s price target on ConnectOne Bancorp (CNOB) to $34 from $31 and keeps a Strong Buy rating on the shares. ConnectOne’s Q1 results were mostly strong, and included a wider net interest margin, stronger loan growth, and lower operating expenses, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Its path towards improved profitability remains intact, with core NIM trending higher, achievable growth targets, and mostly healthy credit trends, the firm adds.