Great Southern stock nears 52-week high on quarterly report

On the release of its third-quarter earnings report, Great Southern Bancorp Inc.'s (Nasdaq: GSBC) shares neared a 52-week high.

The stock this morning traded as high as $58, compared with a 52-week range of $38.81 to $60.55 per share. The high was hit in March.

During the third quarter, the parent company of Great Southern Bank increased its profits by 51% to $20.4 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, from $13.5 million, or 96 cents per diluted share, a year earlier, according to a news release.

"We are pleased with our third -quarter earnings and continued strong financial position, which reflects our associates’ ongoing commitment to take care of our customers in this uncertain health and economic environment,” Great Southern President and CEO Joe Turner said in the release. "While overall economic conditions continue to show signs of improvement, uncertainty remains regarding the timing and magnitude of the recovery."

Great Southern's assets were $5.5 billion and deposits were $4.5 billion as of Sept. 30, according to the release. The company has 94 retail banking centers in Missouri and five other states.