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BSRRSierra BancorpHold5.8·$40.09-1.62%
BSRR · Why this verdict

Why Sierra Bancorp (BSRR) is rated HOLD

Updated

Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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Methodology · Editorial policy & full disclaimer

VerdictHOLD
Overall score5.8/10
ConfidenceMEDIUM
MacroNEUTRAL

Thesis pillars

Sierra Bancorp has beaten earnings estimates in 3 of its last 4 quarters with an average surprise of about 6.7%, and the model flags an earnings catalyst edge ahead of its July 27 report.

Stable
Edge rationale
Expectation
The beat streak should continue with at least 3 of the next 4 quarters beating estimates.

CounterA beat streak built on conservative guidance can break the moment the bank faces a genuine credit or margin surprise.

Sierra Bancorp trades at a forward P/E of roughly 10.6x with a PEG ratio of just 0.22, indicating the stock is cheap relative to its earnings growth.

Stable
Valuation breakdown
Expectation
The PEG ratio should stay below 1.0 over the next 12 months for the valuation case to remain intact.

CounterRegional bank PEG ratios can look artificially low if analyst growth estimates prove too optimistic once rate or credit conditions shift.

The stock has already reached its analyst price target with the model showing negative asymmetry (-1.0), roughly 14.2% downside risk against essentially no further modeled upside.

Stable
Bear case
Expectation
A new, higher analyst target should emerge, or the price should pull back toward a more favorable entry, for the risk/reward to improve over the next 12 months.

CounterBanks near 52-week highs with strong beat streaks can continue re-rating higher as estimates catch up to actual performance, defying a stale price target.

Insiders have been net sellers of Sierra Bancorp, offloading roughly 25,000 shares across 4 separate transactions with zero offsetting purchases, generating a BEARISH insider signal.

Stable
Insider
Expectation
The insider signal should shift back to NEUTRAL or BULLISH over the next 12 months if selling pressure abates.

CounterRoutine, scheduled insider sales for diversification or tax purposes are common at small banks and don't necessarily reflect a negative view of the business.

TrendMatrix Research · core thesis

Engine thesis — one sentence

Sierra Bancorp combines a strong earnings beat streak and cheap valuation with a stock that has already reached its price target and recent insider selling, muting the near-term risk/reward.

Falsifiable statement — pillar-level invalidators below. Engine-derived; not personalized advice.

Per-dimension breakdown

Value

7.7/10data confidence 83%
ComponentSub-score
P/E8.6
P/S7.9
Fwd P/E9.2
PEG10.0
Analyst target3.0
  • Forward P/E: 10.5x
  • PEG: 0.22
  • Attractively valued

Quality

5.4/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
ROE4.3
ROA0.8
Gross margin0.0
Op margin10.0
Net margin10.0
Moat5.9
Piotroski F6.7
  • Strong margins: 30%

Growth

7.7/10data confidence 67%
ComponentSub-score
Rev growth5.3
EPS growth10.0

Momentum

3.2/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
RSI5.5
MACD1.9
OBV1.0
MA position6.0
Volume1.7
  • Volume distribution (falling OBV)
  • Above 200-day MA

Sentiment

5.2/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
Analyst rating5.0
Price target5.5
erm sentiment5.0

Insider

4.8/10data confidence 75%
ComponentSub-score
materiality3.0
insider conviction2.0
holder change9.4
  • Notable insider selling — $954,085 (0.179% of mkt cap)
  • Institutions accumulating

Peer rank

5.6/10data confidence 80%
ComponentSub-score
value rank7.1
quality rank6.0
growth rank4.4

Technical

6.0/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
bollinger6.0
support resistance3.0
52w position9.0

Risk (lower is worse)

5.0/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
short interest8.5
days to cover5.0
volatility2.9
implied vol0.1
beta8.4
  • High IV: 79%
  • Concentration risks: 2 HIGH, 1 MED (10-K Item 1A — sized via position_sizing, validated via buy_confidence)

Catalyst

5.6/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
erm5.0
earnings history6.7
earnings timing5.0
surprise avg5.8
dividend safety5.5
  • Strong earnings: 3B/1M

How the verdict was assembled

Engine trigger

Maintain position. Not compelling to add more.

Engine technical detail
verdict_path: L4:PATH_F_HOLD
Passed (4)
  • NEWS_EVENTS:NONE_RECENT
  • EARNINGS_PROXIMITY:19d clear
  • SEMI_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
  • MATERIALS_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
Failed (2)
  • MOMENTUM:3.2<4.5
  • ASYMMETRY:-1.0=NEGATIVE
Warning (2)
  • INSIDER:0.18%=MODERATE
  • 8K_CSUITE_CHANGE:5.02 (officer departure/appointment)
Reward-to-Risk
-1.00
Upside
-12.0%
Downside
12.0%
Sizing output
AVOID

SetupRange Bound RSI 53 mid-range, Bollinger mid-band

EdgeCatalyst-Driven Earnings in 19d with 3/4 beat streak

SuitabilityAggressive MCap $0.5B<$5B

Investment implication

None of the engine's positive-conviction paths (C-quality, D-momentum) triggered — the F-path HOLD reflects balanced signals. Strongest-cleared gate: NEWS_EVENTS:NONE_RECENT. Top dim: Value at 7.7; weakest: Momentum at 3.2. No conviction either direction.

The strongest dimensions are Value at 7.7, Growth at 7.7, and Technical at 6.0; the weakest are Momentum at 3.2, Insider at 4.8, and Risk (lower is worse) at 5.0. The V9 engine flagged 2 failed gates with 2 warnings, producing an asymmetric reward-to-risk of -1.00 and an engine sizing output of AVOID.

What would invalidate the thesis

Falsifying conditions — when triggered, the corresponding pillar's thesis is invalidated.

  • P1Earnings Beat Streak Catalyst

    Trip ifThe beat streak breaks, with at least 2 misses in the next 4 reported quarters.

  • P2Attractive Valuation Low Peg

    Trip ifPEG ratio rises above 1.5 from the current 0.22.

  • P3Target Reached Limited Upside

    Trip ifA new analyst target sets modeled upside above 10% while downside stays below 10%.

  • P4Insider Selling Signal

    Trip ifInsider signal flips to BULLISH with net share purchases of more than 10,000 shares.

Engine reasoning is mechanically derived from pipeline gate outputs. See decision view.

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