Will ASB's Q1 2025 earnings beat forecasts?

**Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) is likely to report earnings that beat forecasts in Q1 2025**, based on several indicators:

1. **Consistent Track Record**: ASB has a history of beating earnings estimates. The company has topped earnings estimates in the previous two quarters, with an average surprise of 6.72% over the last two reports. This track record suggests a positive outlook for the upcoming earnings release.
2. **Expected EPS and Revenue**: Although specific estimates for Q1 2025 are not available, the company's consistent performance and the fact that analysts are providing forecasts suggest that beating these estimates is a possibility.
3. **Recent Performance**: In Q4 2024, ASB reported an adjusted EPS of $0.57, which was above the consensus estimate of $0.55, indicating a positive surprise of 3.64%. This recent outperformance further supports the notion that ASB could beat expectations in Q1 2025.
4. **Confidence from Analysts**: Wells Fargo recently upgraded ASB from Equal-Weight to Overweight, suggesting confidence in the company's performance. This positive analyst sentiment can be a precursor to an earnings beat.
5. **Institutional Confidence**: Institutional investors have been increasing their stakes in ASB. For example, Prudential Financial Inc. boosted its holdings by 25.8% in the fourth quarter, and American Century Companies Inc. maintained a significant stake despite a slight reduction. This influx of institutional capital can be a vote of confidence in the company's future performance.
6. **Economic Conditions**: While economic conditions are always a factor, ASB's strategic direction and the fact that it is a leading player in its region suggest resilience in the face of potential challenges.

In conclusion, while there are no definitive guarantees, the combination of ASB's historical earnings beat track record, positive analyst sentiment, and institutional confidence suggests that the company's Q1 2025 earnings are likely to exceed forecasts.