DA Davidson analyst Russell Gunther initiated S&T Bancorp with a Buy rating and a price target of $54, saying the stock offers a "best in class profitability and risk adjusted returns" that make its premium valuation "well deserved". The analyst also cites S&T Bancorp's "solid" organic loan growth trends, increasing economies of scale, and "opportunistic" M&A that drive the company's consistent return in profitability. Gunther adds the company's upcoming catalysts include increased second half presence in the Columbus and Cleveland Ohio area and the hiring of commercial bankers with "big bank background".