Brookline among bank stocks to gain most from rates cut, Barron’s says

Markets are predicting as many as four rate cuts next year, ith the first coming as soon as March, despite central bankers’ tough talk about the need to make sure inflation is really under control, Jack Denton writes in this week’s edition of Barron’s. Bank stocks are already benefiting. For those who want to bet on a continued rally, smaller names look most attractive, the author says. Four stocks stand out, namely Brookline Bancorp (BRKL), Heritage Commerce (HTBK), Heritage Financial (HFWA), and Provident Financial Services (PFS). Of course, these may be some of the riskiest banks out there, especially if the market is wrong about Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s next move, Denton adds.