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First National Financial (TSE:FN)
:FN

First National Financial (FN) AI Stock Analysis

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First National Financial

(TSX:FN)

61Neutral
First National Financial shows a mixed outlook with significant financial vulnerabilities, particularly in liquidity and cash flow management. However, strong mortgage origination growth and consistent dividends provide some stability. The stock's valuation is appealing due to a reasonable P/E ratio and high dividend yield, but technical indicators suggest cautious optimism. Overall, while there are positive aspects, key financial risks necessitate careful consideration.
Positive Factors
Earnings Growth
FN appears on track to resume earnings growth underpinned by more accommodative monetary policies and improving housing market transaction activity.
Single-Family Outlook
Single-family outlook remains constructive with FN guiding for increased year-over-year origination in the next two quarters.
Negative Factors
Macro/Trade Uncertainty
Recent macro/trade developments introduce significant uncertainty that could delay a more meaningful recovery.

First National Financial (FN) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

First National Financial Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFirst National Financial (FN) is a leading Canadian-based mortgage lender primarily involved in the business of residential and commercial mortgage financing. The company provides a wide range of mortgage products to homeowners and real estate investors, offering solutions tailored to meet various financial needs. FN operates within the financial services sector, focusing on delivering innovative and customer-centric mortgage solutions across Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyFirst National Financial makes money primarily through the origination and servicing of residential and commercial mortgages. The company earns revenue from interest income on the mortgage loans it holds and from fees associated with originating and underwriting these loans. FN also generates income from the sale of mortgages to institutional investors, where it retains servicing rights, thus earning ongoing servicing fees. Additionally, First National benefits from its partnerships with mortgage brokers and real estate professionals, which help drive new business and enhance its market reach.

First National Financial Financial Statement Overview

Summary
First National Financial faces a challenging financial position with declining revenue, high leverage, and negative cash flow. While profitability metrics like net profit margin remain strong, the reliance on debt and inability to convert income into cash are concerning. The balance sheet's high debt-to-equity ratio requires careful monitoring to ensure financial stability. Overall, the company's financial health shows vulnerabilities, notably in liquidity and operational cash flow.
Income Statement
55
Neutral
The company's income statement shows mixed results. While there's a noticeable decline in total revenue from $751.4 million in 2023 to $587.6 million in 2024, the net profit margin remains relatively strong at 34.6% for 2024. However, the gross profit margin is misleading as it equates to total revenue, suggesting all revenue is considered as gross profit without accounting for costs. This highlights potential issues with cost management or reporting. Additionally, EBIT and EBITDA are not reported for 2024, which limits the assessment of operating performance.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 61.5, indicating significant leverage, which is typical for the banking industry but still poses potential risk if not managed carefully. The equity ratio is low at 1.4%, suggesting limited equity buffer against liabilities. Despite these concerns, the consistency in stockholders' equity over the years provides some stability. However, the high level of total liabilities compared to equity is a notable risk factor.
Cash Flow
45
Neutral
Cash flow analysis indicates challenges with negative operating cash flow of -$763.7 million and free cash flow of -$768.1 million for 2024, reflecting potential liquidity issues. The free cash flow to net income ratio is negative, suggesting that the company's earnings are not translating into cash flow. This raises concerns about the sustainability of operations without external financing. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is also negative, further highlighting cash generation issues.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
587.61M751.40M698.99M513.63M459.87M
Gross Profit
587.61M-589.24M-290.85M-391.21M-464.95M
EBIT
0.00550.91M252.42M263.82M258.73M
EBITDA
0.00511.47M0.00321.91M319.63M
Net Income Common Stockholders
203.39M252.81M197.73M194.56M190.23M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
0.00702.40M-51.17M-52.87M-22.92M
Total Assets
51.16B45.96B43.76B42.27B39.49B
Total Debt
45.40B40.61B38.40B36.99B35.37B
Net Debt
45.40B40.61B38.46B37.05B35.39B
Total Liabilities
50.42B45.22B38.35B37.12B38.92B
Stockholders Equity
738.21M737.76M698.98M577.41M570.80M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-768.10M-109.71M496.78M-434.85M-254.54M
Operating Cash Flow
-763.72M-103.51M509.16M-402.89M-250.96M
Investing Cash Flow
105.40M-77.45M-52.87M-12.74M145.83M
Financing Cash Flow
663.69M163.82M-556.73M133.05M220.05M

First National Financial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price39.95
Price Trends
50DMA
40.13
Negative
100DMA
40.50
Negative
200DMA
37.97
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.08
Positive
RSI
39.06
Neutral
STOCH
53.54
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:FN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 39.95 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 40.34, below the 50-day MA of 40.13, and above the 200-day MA of 37.97, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.08 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 39.06 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 53.54 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for TSE:FN.

First National Financial Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
TSTD
76
Outperform
$148.65B18.137.68%5.08%11.78%-25.44%
TSCM
76
Outperform
$75.56B10.5513.23%4.79%10.79%18.20%
TSMKP
75
Outperform
C$709.56M9.1313.72%8.29%26.81%-6.49%
64
Neutral
$13.80B10.649.23%4.22%17.66%-7.66%
TSFN
61
Neutral
C$2.35B12.0127.56%6.15%16.99%-19.87%
TSLB
53
Neutral
$1.16B-0.24%7.40%-3.68%-111.41%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:FN
First National Financial
39.25
5.27
15.51%
TSE:TD
Toronto Dominion Bank
83.18
5.75
7.42%
TSE:CM
Canadian Bank of Commerce
79.80
16.05
25.18%
TSE:LB
Laurentian Bank
26.30
-0.40
-1.51%
TSE:MKP
MCAN Mortgage
18.24
2.86
18.60%

First National Financial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Mar 4, 2025 | % Change Since: 0.20% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of strong growth in residential mortgage funding and commercial mortgages, as well as record mortgage tender administration, indicating positive momentum. However, challenges such as decreased pre-fair market value income, lower net interest margin, and increased operating expenses suggest areas of concern. The balance between highlights and lowlights suggests a cautiously optimistic outlook.
Highlights
Significant Increase in Residential Mortgage Funding
Funded residential mortgages increased by 43% year-over-year in Q4, demonstrating strong growth in the residential mortgage segment.
Record Mortgage Tender Administration
Mortgage tender administration increased 7% year-over-year and 8% on an annualized basis in Q4 to reach $153.7 billion, setting a new record.
Strong Performance in Commercial Mortgage Segment
Commercial mortgage originations were up 8% in Q4, driven by demand for CMHC-insured multi-unit residential housing.
Revenue Growth in Q4
Fourth quarter revenue was up 19%, largely due to increased securitization of mortgage origination.
Increase in Annual Revenue
Annual revenue grew by 10%, reflecting a strategic decision to securitize more mortgage origination.
Resilient Arrears in Prime Portfolio
Prime portfolio arrears remained unchanged at 8-9 basis points, indicating stability despite higher interest rates in the previous term.
Lowlights
Decrease in Pre-Fair Market Value Income
Q4 pre-fair market value income decreased by 3% to $74.8 million, attributed to lower deferred placement fees and increased investment in commercial securitization.
Lower Net Interest Margin
Net interest margin on securitized mortgages fell to 53 basis points from 59 basis points in the previous year, driven by higher asset-backed commercial paper costs.
Decline in Deferred Placement Fees
Deferred placement fees saw a significant decline of 57% or $2.8 million compared to Q4 last year, due to tighter spreads on mortgages.
Higher Operating Expenses
Total operating costs increased, with salaries and benefits up 17% in Q4, partly due to staffing for a new third-party underwriting mandate and investments in technology.
Increased Competition and Lower Retention Rates
Higher competition from banks offering low rates and cash-back deals led to lower retention rates for renewals in 2024.
Company Guidance
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, First National reported pre-fair market value income of $74.8 million, which was 3% lower than the previous year despite a notable increase in origination volumes. Total mortgage originations, including commercial mortgages, rose by 26.5% year-over-year to $2.1 billion, with a significant portion funded through securitization, deferring revenue recognition to future periods. In the single-family residential mortgage segment, funding increased by 43% compared to the prior year, marking the first favorable year-over-year comparison in 2024. The commercial mortgage segment saw an 8% increase in originations, driven by insured multi-unit residential housing initiatives supported by CMHC incentives. Mortgage tender administration grew 7% to reach $153.7 billion, setting a new record, while annual revenue increased by 10%. Despite a marginal increase in net interest on securitized mortgages, net interest margin was compressed to 53 basis points from 59 basis points due to higher asset-backed commercial paper costs. Operating expenses rose, with salaries and benefits up 17% year-over-year, partly due to 9% full-time equivalent growth. The Board increased the regular monthly common share dividend to an annualized rate of $2.50 and declared a special dividend of $0.50 per share.

First National Financial Corporate Events

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
First National Financial Reports Strong Revenue Growth Amid Market Challenges
Positive
Mar 4, 2025

First National Financial Corporation reported a 19% increase in fourth-quarter revenue to $600.1 million, despite a 3% decrease in Pre-FMV Income. The annual revenue rose by 10% to $2.2 billion, although net income declined to $203.4 million. The company achieved a record $153.7 billion in Mortgages Under Administration, highlighting its resilience in a changing market. The CEO emphasized the company’s ability to capitalize on growth opportunities and maintain profitability, as evidenced by a 33% after-tax Pre-FMV return on equity and consistent dividend increases.

Dividends
First National Financial Announces February 2025 Dividend Payment
Positive
Feb 14, 2025

First National Financial Corporation announced a monthly dividend payment of $0.208334 per common share for February 2025. This dividend will be payable on March 14, 2025, to shareholders of record by February 28, 2025, and is considered an eligible dividend for income tax purposes. This announcement reinforces First National’s commitment to providing consistent returns to its investors and highlights its stable position in the financial market.

Financial Disclosures
First National Financial Announces Q4 2024 Financial Reporting Schedule
Neutral
Feb 3, 2025

First National Financial Corporation has announced its schedule for the fourth quarter 2024 financial reporting. The company will release its earnings after market close on March 4, 2025, followed by an earnings call on March 5, 2025, at 10:00 am ET. This announcement provides stakeholders with key dates to gain insights into the company’s financial performance and strategic direction. By maintaining transparency and regular communication with investors, First National aims to reinforce its strong position in the mortgage industry.

First National Financial Corp Announces January Dividend
Jan 15, 2025

First National Financial Corporation announced a monthly dividend payment of $0.208334 per common share for the period of January 2025, which will be paid to shareholders on February 14, 2025. This announcement reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing shareholder value and underscores its strong position in the mortgage industry.

First National Financial Announces December Dividend Payouts
Dec 13, 2024

First National Financial Corporation has declared its monthly dividend of $0.208334 per common share, payable on January 15, 2025. The company also announced dividends for its Class A Series 1 and Series 2 Preference Shares, with payments scheduled for the same date. These dividends are designated as eligible under Canadian tax legislation.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.