Great Southern stock jumps on Q2 earnings report

Great Southern Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: GSBC) stock hit a fresh 52-week high this morning after the release this week of the company's second-quarter earnings report.

The Springfield-based operator of Great Southern Bank recorded second-quarter net income of roughly $17 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, down from $18.3 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, a year earlier, according to a news release.

Zacks Equity Research indicates earnings came in above analysts' expectations of $1.20 per share. GSBC stock has risen this week, culminating in the current 52-week high of $65.70 per share set this morning. The stock's 52-week low is $45.66 per share.

"Our second-quarter results reflected improved earnings, both on a reported basis and excluding certain significant or nonrecurring items, as we continue to operate in a challenging economic environment," Great Southern President and CEO Joe Turner said in the release.

As of June 30, Great Southern's assets were $6 billion and deposits were $4.6 billion. The company has 89 branches in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Arkansas and Nebraska, as well as commercial lending offices in Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Omaha, Nebraska; and Phoenix.