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SouthState Corporation (SSB)
NYSE:SSB

SouthState Corporation (SSB) AI Stock Analysis

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SSB

SouthState Corporation

(NYSE:SSB)

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Outperform 75 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$117.00
â–²(12.79% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/21/26
SSB scores well on core fundamentals and balance-sheet positioning, supported by reasonable valuation and a constructive price trend. The score is held back primarily by the recent drop/volatility in operating and free cash flow, plus earnings-call headwinds around accretion decline, some margin/loan-yield pressure, and monitored credit items.
Positive Factors
Conservative balance sheet and strong capital
Low leverage, growing equity and CET1 of 11.4% provide durable loss-absorbing capacity and financial flexibility. This supports continued lending, opportunistic M&A integration, and shareholder returns while insulating the bank against cyclic credit stress and regulatory pressure over the medium term.
Consistent revenue and solid profitability
Sustained top-line expansion with a ~21% net margin indicates the franchise can scale earnings across interest and noninterest sources. Even with margin normalization from earlier peaks, steady revenue growth underpins PPNR and provides a structural base for dividends, reinvestment, and capital accumulation.
Loan production momentum and growing pipeline
High production and a larger multi-region pipeline signal durable organic growth capacity. Broad loan origination and deposit gathering support future net interest income, diversify regional exposure (TX/CO growth), and sustain asset growth even if new loan yields normalize over time.
Negative Factors
Volatile operating cash flow
Material decline and volatility in operating cash flow reduces the firm’s ability to self-fund investments, dividends and repurchases without tapping capital markets. Persistent cash generation weakness would constrain flexibility and increase reliance on accrual earnings and capital actions during downturns.
Accretion decline and loan-yield pressure
Diminishing accretion from recent acquisitions and quarter-to-quarter loan-yield compression are structural drags on NII. As accretion runs off and deposit beta rises, sustaining prior margin levels becomes harder, pressuring long-term earnings unless offset by higher core loan growth or fee income.
Very high near-term payout ratio
A near-100% payout rate is not durable for a growing bank and risks depleting capital cushions if earnings or cash flow weaken. Management’s pledge to normalize helps, but elevated distributions reduce retained earnings and limit flexibility for lending growth or absorbing credit volatility.

SouthState Corporation (SSB) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

SouthState Corporation Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSouthState Corporation operates as the bank holding company for SouthState Bank, National Association that provides a range of banking services and products to individuals and companies. It accepts checking accounts, savings deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, certificates of deposits, money market accounts, and other time deposits. The company also offers commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans, commercial, and industrial loans, as well as consumer loans, including auto, boat, and personal installment loans. In addition, it provides debit card, mobile and funds transfer products, and treasury management services comprising merchant, automated clearing house, lock-box, remote deposit capture, and other treasury services. Further, the company offers safe deposit boxes, bank money orders, wire transfer, brokerage services, and alternative investment products, including annuities, mutual funds, and trust and asset management services; and credit cards, letters of credit, and home equity lines of credit. As of December 31, 2021, it served customers through 281 branches in Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. SouthState Corporation also serves its customers through online, mobile, and telephone banking platforms. The company was formerly known as First Financial Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to SouthState Corporation in July 2013. SouthState Corporation was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida.
How the Company Makes MoneySouthState Corporation generates revenue primarily through interest income and non-interest income. The main revenue stream comes from the interest earned on loans and securities, with the bank providing various types of loans, including commercial, residential, and consumer loans. Additionally, the company earns non-interest income through service fees, mortgage origination fees, wealth management fees, and transaction-based services. Significant partnerships with local businesses and community organizations enhance customer acquisition and retention, contributing to its earnings. Furthermore, the bank's focus on expanding its footprint in the Southeast through strategic acquisitions and organic growth supports its overall financial performance.

SouthState Corporation Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Commercial Loan Portfolio Breakdown
Commercial Loan Portfolio Breakdown
Chart Insights
Data provided by:The Fly

SouthState Corporation Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 22, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 23, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call emphasized successful execution on the major acquisition integration, strong earnings and tangible book value growth, healthy capital ratios, robust loan production and pipeline expansion, and confidence to continue share repurchases opportunistically. Headwinds cited were lower accretion income sequentially, a quarter of higher performance-related expenses, some temporary substandard loan increases in lease-up multifamily, and a high Q4 payout ratio that management said is not expected to persist. Management reiterated conservative margin and deposit assumptions and provided clear 2026 guidance ranges for NIM, accretion, and NIE growth.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong EPS and Earnings Growth
Excluding merger costs, 2025 earnings per share increased over 30%; reported full-year EPS of $9.50 and Q4 EPS of $2.47. PPNR was $323 million in Q4 and $1.27 billion for the full year. Return on tangible common equity for the year was approximately 20%.
Tangible Book Value and Capital Returns
Double-digit growth in tangible book value per share for 2025 (TBV per share up ~10% for the year) while raising the dividend by 11% in July, repurchasing ~2 million shares (~2% of the company) in Q4 and repurchasing ~2.4% of the company for the year. Capital ratios remained healthy with TCE at 8.8% and CET1 at 11.4%.
Balance Sheet Growth and Loan Production Momentum
Strong Q4 momentum with 8% annualized loan growth and 8% annualized deposit growth. Record quarterly loan production of $3.9 billion (up 16% vs Q3). Pipeline expanded from ~$3.4 billion to ~$5.0 billion during 2025; Texas and Colorado production was $888 million in Q4 (up from $775M in Q3) and their local pipeline increased from $800M to $1.2B.
Net Interest Margin and Funding Costs In Line with Guidance
Q4 tax-equivalent net interest margin of 3.86% (in guidance range 3.80%–3.90%). Loan yield of 6.13% (down 35 bps QoQ) with new loan origination coupon ~6.06% for the quarter. Deposit cost was 1.82% (down 9 bps) and total cost of funds declined 14 bps. Management reiterates 2026 NIM guidance of 3.80%–3.90%.
Noninterest Income Strength and Efficiency
Q4 noninterest income of $106 million (up $7 million QoQ), with correspondent Capital Markets contributing $31 million (one of the better quarters). Full-year noninterest income was $1.407 billion and management targets ~4% NIE growth for 2026 (leaning into expanding revenue producers). Efficiency ratio remained below 50% for the quarter and the year.
Disciplined Integration Execution
Management reported a successful systems conversion and integration of the Independent Financial acquisition with initial regulatory and operational risks navigated, enabling the bank to hit its 2025 goals (clean conversion, cost savings mandate, and reaccelerated growth by Q4).
Share Repurchase Authorization and Opportunistic Buybacks
Board authorized additional buybacks (management cited roughly 5.56 million additional shares added to the plan) and the company repurchased ~2 million shares in Q4 at an average price of ~$90.65, reflecting management confidence in disconnect between fundamentals and valuation.
Loan Repricing and Positive Net Repricing Position
Near-term repricing profile includes ~$4.3 billion of legacy fixed-rate loans repricing over 12 months around ~5.06% and ~$2.0 billion in the legacy independent book repricing down from ~7.25% to ~6.25%; net, management estimates a roughly $2.3 billion positive repricing tailwind (~1% positive differential) depending on the yield curve.
Negative Updates
Accretion Income Decline and Remaining Discount
Accretion income was $50 million in Q4, down $33 million from Q3. Management noted approximately $260 million of remaining loan discount to be accreted (timing and impact to NII remain factors).
QoQ NII and Loan Yield Pressure
Net interest income in Q4 was $581 million, down $19 million sequentially (although up $14 million excluding accretion). Reported loan yields declined 35 basis points QoQ to 6.13%.
Fourth-Quarter Expense Increase
Higher noninterest expenses in Q4 driven by performance- and commission-based compensation (combined increase of ~$6 million QoQ), plus increased marketing/business development spending (~$6 million QoQ) and hiring-related costs tied to growth initiatives; management acknowledges Q4 seasonality and hiring cadence contributed to the uptick.
High Quarterly Payout Ratio and Sustainability Question
Combined dividend plus repurchases produced a total payout ratio just shy of 100% for the quarter (around 97%), which management said is higher than sustainable long-term for a growing company and likely to normalize; ongoing repurchase activity will be opportunistic and dependent on price and capital considerations.
Increase in Substandard Loans (Concentration in Multifamily Lease-Up)
Some increase in substandard loans during Q4 driven by a handful of multifamily properties in lease-up; management noted ~99% of substandard loans are current and those multifamily loans have a weighted-average LTV of ~52%, so credit team is not concerned, but it's a monitoring item.
Provision Expense Statement (possible anomaly) and ACL Dynamics
Call referenced a provision expense of $6.6 billion alongside commentary that credit costs remain low — an unusually large figure relative to peers and other metrics (may be a transcription/scaling error). Management also noted downward pressure on the ACL as rotation from PCD to non-PCD slows, making future provisions more a function of loan growth and net charge-offs.
Company Guidance
The company guided to a stable NIM of 3.80%–3.90% for 2026 with average interest‑earning assets of $61–62B (starting Q1 around $60–60.5B), three rate cuts assumed, loan accretion forecast of $125M (with ~$260M remaining to accrete), and a deposit beta assumed near 27% (deposit cost roughly 1.75% in Q1, with room to move toward 30% over time); loan growth was guided to mid‑ to upper‑single digits (Q4 annualized loan and deposit growth were each 8%, Q4 production $3.9B, +16% QoQ, Texas/Colorado production $888M vs. $775M in Q3), new loan coupons were ~6.06% (6.31% in TX/CO), overall loan yield 6.13%, fixed‑rate repricing ~$4.3B at ~5.06% and ~$2B of legacy independent loans repricing from ~7.25% to ~6.25%. Management expects NIE to grow ~4% from 2025’s $1.407B (~$1.46B), PPNR run‑rate supportive (2025 PPNR $1.27B; Q4 $323M), EPS momentum (2025 EPS $9.50; Q4 $2.47), efficiency ratio <50%, NCOs 9 bps in Q4 (11 bps FY), provision activity tied to growth, and healthy capital (TCE 8.8%, CET1 11.4%) while maintaining an active buyback posture (repurchased 2M shares in Q4 at ~$90.65, new authorization netting ~5.56M added to 560k remaining) and a target longer‑term payout range of roughly 40%–60%.

SouthState Corporation Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Income statement and balance sheet are solid (revenue up ~11% YoY to $3.76B in 2025, net margin ~21%, improving leverage with debt-to-equity ~0.15 and steady ROE ~8.8%–9.8%). The main drag is cash-flow volatility and a sharp step-down in operating/free cash flow in 2025, reducing flexibility despite solid earnings.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Revenue has expanded meaningfully over the period, reaching $3.76B in 2025 (up ~11% year over year), and profitability remains solid with a ~21% net margin in 2025. That said, profitability has cooled versus the 2021–2022 peak (net margin down from ~34% in 2021 and ~30% in 2022), indicating some margin pressure even as revenue scales.
Balance Sheet
82
Very Positive
Leverage appears conservative for the period shown, with debt-to-equity improving to ~0.15 in 2024–2025 (down from ~0.25 in 2020), while equity has grown to $9.06B in 2025 alongside higher total assets. Returns on equity are steady around ~8.8%–9.8% in recent years, which is respectable but not accelerating despite the larger balance sheet.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Cash generation is the main soft spot: operating cash flow declined to $301M in 2025 from $512M in 2024 and was far below the $1.73B level seen in 2022, showing notable volatility. Free cash flow also fell ~27% in 2025, and cash flow relative to the asset base is low in the latest year, which reduces flexibility even though free cash flow roughly matches reported earnings in 2025.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.76B2.39B2.19B1.67B1.42B
Gross Profit2.57B1.65B1.59B1.53B1.53B
EBITDA1.17B756.95M689.68M697.95M667.42M
Net Income798.67M534.78M494.31M496.05M475.54M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets67.20B46.38B44.90B43.92B41.84B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments6.90B898.68M5.55B6.06B5.90B
Total Debt1.31B896.14M970.78M938.38M1.10B
Total Liabilities58.14B40.49B39.37B38.84B37.04B
Stockholders Equity9.06B5.89B5.53B5.07B4.80B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-542.00M476.15M507.87M1.71B387.27M
Operating Cash Flow-471.75M511.96M546.76M1.73B415.69M
Investing Cash Flow792.19M-886.18M-1.43B-4.86B-2.32B
Financing Cash Flow1.46B767.41M566.00M-2.28B4.02B

SouthState Corporation Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price103.73
Price Trends
50DMA
99.50
Positive
100DMA
95.11
Positive
200DMA
94.26
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.83
Positive
RSI
51.60
Neutral
STOCH
21.53
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SSB, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 103.73 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 103.60, above the 50-day MA of 99.50, and above the 200-day MA of 94.26, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.83 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 51.60 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 21.53 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SSB.

SouthState Corporation Risk Analysis

SouthState Corporation disclosed 70 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. SouthState Corporation reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

SouthState Corporation Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$11.68B12.2710.81%2.49%4.78%21.68%
75
Outperform
$9.79B12.6910.68%2.38%33.87%12.26%
74
Outperform
$9.97B13.0612.11%1.40%3.58%13.93%
70
Outperform
$11.70B12.9011.12%2.44%-4.51%20.78%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
65
Neutral
$9.08B12.8812.59%1.37%38.81%10.38%
65
Neutral
$9.69B10.1013.50%1.80%6.30%25.28%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SSB
SouthState Corporation
103.73
6.91
7.14%
FHN
First Horizon
24.91
4.48
21.95%
UMBF
UMB Financial
123.73
16.67
15.57%
WBS
Webster Financial
73.28
18.87
34.68%
WTFC
Wintrust Financial
152.18
31.30
25.89%
WAL
Western Alliance
90.06
5.53
6.54%

SouthState Corporation Corporate Events

Stock BuybackDividendsFinancial Disclosures
SouthState Corporation Reports Strong Q4 Results, Boosts Shareholder Returns
Positive
Jan 22, 2026

On January 22, 2026, SouthState Bank Corporation reported unaudited results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, highlighting strong profitability and balance sheet growth. Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share rose 32% year over year to $2.46 (adjusted $2.47), net income reached $247.7 million, and returns on average assets and tangible common equity were 1.47% and 19.1%, respectively. Loans and deposits each grew at an 8% annualized rate in the quarter, while tangible book value per share increased 10% from a year earlier despite a higher dividend and repurchase of 2.4% of outstanding shares. Net interest income slipped 3% from the prior quarter to $581 million amid a modest decline in loan yields, but noninterest income improved, credit costs remained low with net charge-offs at 0.09% of average loans, and capital ratios stayed strong. Reflecting confidence in its performance and capital strength, the board on January 21, 2026 authorized a new stock repurchase plan for up to 5.56 million shares, replacing a prior, smaller authorization, and declared a first-quarter 2026 cash dividend of $0.60 per share, payable February 13, 2026 to shareholders of record on February 6, 2026, further signaling ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.

The most recent analyst rating on (SSB) stock is a Buy with a $112.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SouthState Corporation stock, see the SSB Stock Forecast page.

Financial Disclosures
SouthState Corporation Schedules Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Release
Neutral
Jan 5, 2026

On January 5, 2026, SouthState Bank Corporation announced that it would release its fourth quarter 2025 earnings results after the market close on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with the report to be made available on the company’s investor relations website. The bank also scheduled a conference call and live webcast for Friday, January 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET, to discuss the quarterly results, with an audio replay to be posted later that day, underscoring its efforts to provide transparency and accessibility to investors and analysts ahead of a key financial reporting date.

The most recent analyst rating on (SSB) stock is a Buy with a $122.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on SouthState Corporation stock, see the SSB Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 21, 2026