HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (HTB) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?

A strong stock as of late has been HomeTrust Bancshares (HTB). Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 3.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $52.21 in the previous session. HomeTrust Bancshares has gained 19.4% since the start of the year compared to the 7.6% gain for the Zacks Finance sector and the 16.2% return for the Zacks Banks - Southeast industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on July 23, 2026, HomeTrust Bancshares reported EPS of $0.94 versus consensus estimate of $0.89.

For the current fiscal year, HomeTrust Bancshares is expected to post earnings of $3.87 per share on $218.86 in revenues. This represents a 4.03% change in EPS on a 2.72% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.11 per share on $226.61 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 6.2% and 3.54%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

While HomeTrust Bancshares has moved to its 52-week high over the past few weeks, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

HomeTrust Bancshares has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 13.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 12.2X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 11.3X versus its peer group's average of 12.2X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, HomeTrust Bancshares currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if HomeTrust Bancshares meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though HomeTrust Bancshares shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does HTB Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of HTB have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Popular, Inc. (BPOP). BPOP has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of A.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Popular, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 17.89%, and for the current fiscal year, BPOP is expected to post earnings of $15.72 per share on revenue of $3.46 billion.

Shares of Popular, Inc. have gained 2.9% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 11.05X and a P/CF of 18.24X.

The Banks - Southeast industry is in the top 22% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for HTB and BPOP, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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