Billionaire Ken Fisher’s 10 Finance Stock Picks with Huge Upside Potential

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1. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NASDAQ:AUB)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27

Upside Potential: 66.77%

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NASDAQ:AUB) is a bank holding company for Atlantic Union Bank, providing financial services throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Its business includes Wholesale and Consumer Banking segments, which offer deposit products, home and business loans, credit options, treasury services, and wealth management. Customers can access these services through branches, ATMs, and online platforms.

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, Atlantic Union’s earnings per share hit $0.67, falling short of what analysts expected. Net interest income stayed flat at $187 million, while the net interest margin dropped slightly by 5 basis points to 3.33%. Despite missing earnings targets, loans grew at an annual rate of 2.9% and deposits increased by 1.8%. The company also reduced brokered deposits by over $200 million, while credit quality stayed healthy overall. However, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NASDAQ:AUB) set aside $17.5 million because of issues with a specific commercial and industrial loan.

Moreover, the Sandy Spring deal should wrap up by mid-2025, with only some regulatory approvals remaining. As part of this, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NASDAQ:AUB) plans to sell off $2 billion in commercial real estate loans. The increased CRE payoffs in Q4 suggest that healthy refinancing activity is occurring. Furthermore, the company’s leadership is optimistic about economic conditions in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, where unemployment stays below the national average.

Looking ahead to 2025, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NASDAQ:AUB) expects loans and deposits to grow in the mid-single digits. It is expecting a net interest margin between 3.45% and 3.60%, while net interest income could reach up to $800 million, assuming the Fed cuts rates twice. Additionally, the company predicts that loan charge-offs might increase slightly, but it believes overall credit conditions should remain stable.

With its growth plans, solid fundamentals, and strong regional presence, AUB fits well in the Ken Fisher Stock Portfolio, with a value-focused investment approach. This makes Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NASDAQ:AUB) worth considering even during uncertain times in the financial sector.

Overall, AUB ranks first among Billionaire Ken Fisher’s 10 Finance Stock Picks with Huge Upside Potential. While we acknowledge the potential of these companies, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AUB but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

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