Earnings Preview For Bank Of The Ozarks (OZRK)

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. OZRK is reporting 2011 first-quarter earnings after the closing bell on Wednesday April 13. Analysts are looking for the company to earn $0.69 per share on revenues of $45.53 million. Earnings would decline over 26% year-over-year if the target is hit. Earnings estimates have been flat over the past two months. Net interest income and net interest margins will be a focal point for investors. As with all bank stocks, analysts will examine what management says about expense growth and loan loss provisions. Analysts predict that loan loss provisions rose in the first quarter, so management's take on this will be of great importance. The company has done a great job of exceeding estimates as it has done so by at least 14.30% in each of the past four quarters. Investors are optimistic as the stock is trading only a few percent below its 52-week high of $45.43. The stock is currently trading at 15.1x current-year estimates of $2.96 per share. It is a small cap stock with a market capitalization of $765 million. The company operates as the bank holding company for Bank of the Ozarks that provides a range of retail and commercial banking services. The company's deposit products include checking, savings, money market, time deposit, and individual retirement accounts.