Now it's $15.60 / share, a nice progression from $12.2 when I opened this folder on November 6. Just a steady progression to the underwriter's near term target of $17. What follows is something I wrote on Seeking Alpha, explaining the unique qualities of EBC.
Here are my thoughts about EBC, with special insight as a Massachusetts resident knowing our tax laws:
The pluses are that EBC is so much bigger than its other demutalized competitors, and the management is focused. After 3 years, regulations would allow EBC, as a demutualized bank, to be acquired by one of the national banks. I trust the CEO's statement that this will not happen, and that the goal is to expand the franchise. It's WIN-WIN, whatever the result, but I hope EBC continues on its own path to excellence without Wall Street wanting to gobble it up.
Our pluses:
1. All banks have the tail wind of more monetary expansion, and the inevitable raising of rates.
2. For EBC, it is in the best market area of the country. In Massachusetts, our best employers (universities and hospitals) pay no taxes, so they can maintain high payrolls for employees, who buy houses and pay mortgages and do not default. In Massachusetts, in spite of its reputation as "Taxachusetts", the tax rate must be level (currently a mere 5%) and that is protected by the State constitution, and liberals have been unsuccesful over the years in getting voters to overturn it. In addition, no town can raise its real property tax rate by more than 2&1/2% without 2/3 local support, another great rule to protect mortgage lenders.
In sum, EBC is in the best market with great management, has tailwinds from federal support for banks in general, and has a valuation which is still not stretched, etc., etc. The "market" does not have to be risky if you buy the right stocks, and EBC continues to be my poster child.
