📊 NIC Key Takeaways
Is NIC a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis
Nicolet Bankshares demonstrates excellent fundamental strength with outstanding free cash flow generation ($149.4M, 31.7% margin) and conservative leverage (0.11x debt/equity). However, revenue growth of 53.7% YoY substantially exceeds net income growth of 21.5%, suggesting potential acquisition-related non-recurring items or operating integration headwinds that require monitoring.
Why Buy NIC? Key Strengths
- Exceptional free cash flow generation with 31.7% FCF margin indicates strong underlying business quality
- Outstanding profitability with 32% net margin and 39.7% operating margin among peer competitors
- Fortress balance sheet with minimal leverage (0.11x debt/equity) and substantial cash reserves ($660.2M) providing strategic flexibility
- Strong ROE of 12% demonstrates reasonable return on shareholder capital for banking sector
- Significant insider activity (27 Form 4 filings) suggests management confidence in business trajectory
NIC Investment Risks to Consider
- Severe disconnect between revenue growth (53.7% YoY) and net income growth (21.5% YoY) suggests potential acquisition dilution or one-time revenue recognition items that may not be sustainable
- Operating cash flow ($153.5M) trailing net income ($150.7M) is unusual and concerning as OCF should materially exceed net income; indicates potential working capital or quality-of-earnings concerns
- ROA of 1.6% is below-average for a highly profitable bank, suggesting asset efficiency challenges or integration inefficiencies from potential acquisition activity
Key Metrics to Watch
- Organic vs. acquisition-driven revenue growth breakdown to assess sustainability of 53.7% YoY expansion
- Operating cash flow to net income ratio - target should be >1.2x to confirm earnings quality
- Net income growth acceleration or stabilization in subsequent quarters to validate 21.5% trajectory
NIC Financial Metrics
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The 31.7% free cash flow margin provides substantial flexibility for dividends, buybacks, and strategic investments. The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
NIC Profitability Ratios
NIC vs Finance Sector
How NICOLET BANKSHARES INC compares to Finance sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is NIC Overvalued or Undervalued?
Based on fundamental analysis, NICOLET BANKSHARES INC appears fundamentally strong relative to the Finance sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
NIC Balance Sheet & Liquidity
NIC 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis
5-Year Trend Summary: NICOLET BANKSHARES INC's revenue has remained relatively flat over the 5-year period, with a 0% decline. The most recent EPS of $4.08 reflects profitable operations.
NIC Growth Metrics (YoY)
NIC Capital Allocation
NIC SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for NICOLET BANKSHARES INC (CIK: 0001174850)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about NIC
What is the AI rating for NIC?
NICOLET BANKSHARES INC (NIC) has an AI rating of BUY with 78% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are NIC's key strengths?
Claude: Exceptional free cash flow generation with 31.7% FCF margin indicates strong underlying business quality. Outstanding profitability with 32% net margin and 39.7% operating margin among peer competitors.
What are the risks of investing in NIC?
Claude: Severe disconnect between revenue growth (53.7% YoY) and net income growth (21.5% YoY) suggests potential acquisition dilution or one-time revenue recognition items that may not be sustainable. Operating cash flow ($153.5M) trailing net income ($150.7M) is unusual and concerning as OCF should materially exceed net income; indicates potential working capital or quality-of-earnings concerns.
What is NIC's revenue and growth?
NICOLET BANKSHARES INC reported revenue of $471.0M.
Does NIC pay dividends?
NICOLET BANKSHARES INC pays dividends, with $18.7M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find NIC SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for NICOLET BANKSHARES INC (CIK: 0001174850) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is NIC's EPS?
NICOLET BANKSHARES INC has a diluted EPS of $9.78.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is NIC a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, NICOLET BANKSHARES INC has a BUY rating with 78% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.
Is NIC stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for NIC: ROE of 12.0% (sector avg: 12%), net margin of 32.0% (sector avg: 25%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy NIC stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives NICOLET BANKSHARES INC a combined BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is NIC's free cash flow?
NICOLET BANKSHARES INC's operating cash flow is $153.5M, with capital expenditures of $4.1M. FCF margin is 31.7%.
How does NIC compare to other Finance stocks?
Vs Finance sector averages: Net margin 32.0% (avg: 25%), ROE 12.0% (avg: 12%), current ratio N/A (avg: 1.2).