What key metrics or guidance is Synovus likely to disclose during the fireside chat with Pinnacle Financial Partners?
Likely guidance points
In a joint fireside chat at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference, Synovus will almost certainly focus on the same headline items it covered in its most recent earnings release and the âcoreâ metrics that analysts track for regional banks:
Net interest income (NII) and netâinterest margin (NIM) â Synovus will give a forwardâlooking view on NII growth (likely 3â4% YoY) and the expected NIM trend as the Fedâs rateâcut cycle progresses. A modest NIM compression is expected, but the bank will stress the ânetâinterest income cushionâ from its higherâyield loan mix and the upside from a flattening yield curve.
Loanâ and depositâgrowth â Management will likely quote total loan balance growth of 5â6% for the year, with a focus on commercial realâestate (CRE) and consumer loan segments. Deposit growth is expected to stay in the 2â3% range, with a note on the âstickyâdepositâ base that should limit fundingâcost volatility.
Creditâcost and loanâloss provisions â Synovus will probably provide a creditâcost outlook of 0.5â0.6% of total loans, reflecting a modest uptick in CRE and consumer delinquencies but still below the âhighâcostâ threshold for the region.
Net income / EPS guidance â The bank will most likely issue a FYâ2024 netâincome target of roughly $1.0âŻbillion (ââŻ$0.90âŻEPS) and a FYâ2025 EPS outlook in the $0.95â$1.00 range, implying a 5â6% YoY earnings growth trajectory.
Capital & dividend â A reaffirmation of the 1.5% dividend payout and a statement that the Common Equity TierâŻ1 (CET1) ratio will stay above 13.5% will be included, underscoring a solid capital buffer.
Trading implications
If Synovus delivers loanâgrowth and NII guidance that exceeds consensus (e.g., loan growth >âŻ6% or NIM compression <âŻ30âŻbps), the stock could see a *10â12% upside** on the day of the chat, as the market rewards a higherâyielding balance sheet and a resilient creditâcost outlook. Conversely, any surprise on the creditâcost sideâespecially a jump in CRE provisionsâcould trigger a 5â7% sellâoff.*
Technical context: Synovus has been trading in a tight 20âday range around $71.30â$73.10, with the 50âday SMA (~$71.80) acting as support. A strong guidance beat would likely break the $73.10 resistance and invite a retest of the 100âday SMA (~$74.50). A miss, however, could push the price back toward the 20âday low near $70.00.
Actionable takeâaway â Keep a smallâposition long if you can acquire the stock on a pullâback to $71.00â$71.50 and the guidance includes loanâgrowth â„âŻ6% and NII â„âŻ$1.1âŻbn. If the chat reveals a higherâthanâexpected creditâcost or a muted loanâgrowth outlook, consider a shortâside or at least a defensive hedge, as the downside could be swift and technical support may be tested.