Stock Yards Bancorp (SYBT) has just wrapped up Q4 2025 with total revenue of US$102.7 million and basic EPS of US$1.25, setting the stage for its Q1 2026 reporting season with a trailing twelve month EPS of US$4.77. Over the last six reported quarters, total revenue has moved from US$85.5 million in Q3 2024 to US$102.7 million in Q4 2025, while basic EPS has shifted from US$1.00 to US$1.25. This gives investors a clearer line of sight on how earnings power is tracking into the new year. With a trailing net profit margin of 35.9% and a share price of US$70.44, the story now pivots to how durable those margins look against the latest commentary and expectations.

See our full analysis for Stock Yards Bancorp.

With the headline numbers on the table, the next step is to set them against the most common narratives around Stock Yards Bancorp to see which views the latest results support and which they call into question.

Net interest margin steady around 3.5%

• Across the last four quarters, net interest margin sat in a tight band between 3.46% and 3.56%, with the latest trailing twelve month figure at 3.53%.
• For those who view SYBT as a steady regional franchise, it is notable that this stable margin sits alongside consistent loan balances in the US$6.5 billion to US$7.0 billion range. This suggests the bank has kept pricing and volume relatively balanced, without the swings that more aggressive lenders sometimes experience.

Cost to income ratio just above 53%

• The cost to income ratio over the last year is 53.42%, compared with quarterly readings of 54.5%, 53.87% and 52.99% across 2025, indicating that operating expenses took a little over half of income across the period.
• Those who worry that regional banks could face rising regulatory or operating costs may see a mixed picture here. The ratio stays in a fairly tight 52.99% to 56.18% range, while trailing net profit margin is 35.9%. This shows that expenses are meaningful but have not prevented SYBT from converting a substantial share of revenue into profit.

Asset quality helped by lower non performing loans

• Non performing loans on a trailing basis are reported at US$13.0 million, versus quarterly figures that range from US$16.1 million to US$22.2 million in the earlier periods provided.
• Critics who focus on regional bank credit risk will likely pay attention to how this level compares with the US$7.0 billion loan book. Even though headlines around the sector often stress loan quality concerns, the supplied data here points to non performing balances that are a small fraction of total loans, which contrasts with bearish narratives that treat all regional banks as facing similar levels of credit strain.

Next Steps

Don't just look at this quarter; the real story is in the long-term trend. We've done an in-depth analysis on Stock Yards Bancorp's growth and its valuation to see if today's price is a bargain. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio now so you don't miss the next big move.

Mixed messages in the numbers or a clear story starting to form, either way it helps to look under the hood yourself and weigh the evidence. If you want a quick view of what the market sees as the main upsides for this business, start with the 3 key rewards

See What Else Is Out There

While SYBT shows steady margins and asset quality, the cost to income ratio just above 53% suggests efficiency is not as tight as some investors may prefer.

If you want ideas where balance sheet strength is a clearer highlight, check out the solid balance sheet and fundamentals stocks screener (42 results) to compare companies that lean harder into financial resilience.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.