Renasant’s second quarter results reflected the company’s first full period since closing its merger with The First Bancshares, a major development that drove strong top-line growth but left profitability below Wall Street’s expectations. Management attributed the significant revenue increase to the combined operations and emphasized progress in integrating teams and customer bases. However, elevated merger-related expenses, integration costs, and some one-time credit charges weighed on margins, which contributed to a negative market reaction. CEO Kevin Chapman noted, “Our earnings trajectory and balance sheet strength are evident in the second quarter results,” but the company acknowledged that much of the merger’s anticipated cost savings have yet to be realized.

Is now the time to buy RNST? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions Renasant’s Q2 Earnings Call

• Michael Edward Rose (Raymond James): Asked about margin trends post-merger. CFO James Mabry explained that modest core margin expansion is possible, but purchase accounting effects will diminish over time.
• Matt Olney (Stephens): Queried about the timing and scale of merger cost savings. Mabry said efficiencies will start to show in Q3 and build through Q4, with a clean income statement expected next year.
• Catherine Mealor (KBW): Questioned the sustainability of charge-offs. Chief Credit Officer David Meredith described recent charge-offs as isolated, not systemic, and expects credit costs to revert to historical levels.
• Catherine Mealor (KBW): Inquired about capital priorities, including buybacks. Mabry said capital is first allocated to organic growth, with buybacks considered but not prioritized in the near term.
• Stephen Scouten (Piper Sandler): Asked about future M&A appetite. CEO Kevin Chapman said the focus remains on completing the current merger integration before considering additional acquisitions.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In future quarters, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the pace and effectiveness of cost savings from merger integration, (2) progress in expanding fee-based income streams such as treasury management and mortgage, and (3) the stability of loan credit quality as the combined loan book matures. Execution on systems conversion and realizing targeted efficiency ratios will be important indicators of management’s success.

Renasant currently trades at $37.48, down from $38.10 just before the earnings. In the wake of this quarter, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it’s free).

The Best Stocks for High-Quality Investors

Trump’s April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.

Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.