Analysts Raise Forecast Of Mellon's '91 Earnings
Mellon Bank Corp.'s better than expected earnings in the second quarter have stirred banking analysts to hike earnings expectations for 1991.
"In our view, while credit concerns remain cause for caution, the earnings picture has brightened considerably," said Salomon Brothers bank analyst Thomas H. Hanley.
This enthusiasm augurs well for the bank's growth strategy, which earnings will help support. Mellon has emerged as the prime contender to acquire the largest thrift institution in the nation's capital, Perpetual Savings Bank, which is in the hands of regulators.
Saying their "confidence has increased," analysts at Salomon Brothers last week raised their 1991 forecast to $4.30 a share from $3.75 and their 1992 expectations to $4.50 from $4.10.
Rallying Call for Market
Partly on the strength of such endorsements, Mellon's shares have gained in the past few days. They were ahead $1.25 to $32.75 in Monday afternoon trading, among the day's best performers in the bank group.
Second-quarter net earnings were $1.20 a share, off 57% from last year, when special items were involved. The good news was that net interest income rose 14% while noninterest income gained 10.3%.
Good news has been a long time coming for the venerable Pittsburgh banking company.
Before suffering a huge loss in first-quarter 1987, Mellon had not reported a deficit in 188 years of operation. It has since undergone an innovative recapitalization under the aegis of aggressive new management.
Mellon appears to have restored its once-solid stream of earnings after four years of work. Analysts have taken a wait-and-see approach. "Although we have been more optimistic about the earnings outlook for Mellon in recent months, until now our estimates have been extremely conservative," Mr. Hanley said.
Some eyebrows were raised at news that about 75% of the increase came from problem commercial loans, and half those were loans to highly leveraged firms. But the 95% coverage of problem loans by the reserve quieted concerns.
Fee-Based Successes
What impressed the analysts was what Mr. Hanley termed "excellent results across the board in service-fee categories." Fees from trust and investment management and from cash management both jumped, as did credit card revenues.
A seasonal factor was apparent in the $7 million revenue from Mellon's income tax refund program. But Mr. Gelman noted that service-fee revenues were up 9.7% from a year ago even when this was excluded.
Besides Mellon Bank Corp., Wells Fargo & Co. and some other banks posted strong gains in Monday's stock market, but volume was relatively light. The stock market overall also posted afternoon gains.
Wells, the San Francisco superregional, was up $1.50 to $70.625 on volume of about 150,000 shares. Republic New York Corp. was up $1 to $67.50, and Cleveland's Society Corp. was up $1 to $49.75.
