Peoples Bancorp Inc

Peoples Bancorp guided for a full-year 2026 net interest margin of 4.10% to 4.30% and expects its Citizens merger to close early in the fourth quarter of 2026. President and CEO Tyler Wilcox said the NIM range assumes a relatively stable rate environment and does not include any benefit from a potential 25-basis-point rate increase. The company reported adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.96 for the second quarter, with net interest income rising 3% and the net interest margin expanding 7 basis points. Quarterly fee-based income is projected between $28 million and $30 million, and total noninterest expense is expected to be $73 million to $75 million for the remaining two quarters of 2026. Loan growth is anticipated to come in toward the low end of the 3% to 5% guided range due to continued paydowns, while net charge-offs are expected to decline slightly from 2025 levels.

Shares of several regional banks climbed after softer-than-expected inflation data cooled expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. A June CPI of 3.5% and lower-than-expected producer prices bolstered investor confidence that inflationary pressures may be easing, reducing the likelihood of aggressive monetary tightening. Strong second-quarter earnings from major financial institutions also supported the sector, showing stabilized net interest income and contained credit-loss provisions. The State Street S&P Regional Banking ETF, which tracks the broader regional banking sector, has been trading near its 2026 highs. Among individual movers, Prosperity Bancshares rose 2.7%, Peoples Bancorp gained 3.3%, National Bank Holdings advanced 3.1%, Live Oak Bancshares jumped 3.3%, and Glacier Bancorp added 2.8%.