Linkbancorp rises after Hovde Group starts coverage with 'outperform' rating

Community lender Linkbancorp's LNKB.O shares rise 1.9% to $6.91

Hovde Group initiates coverage with an "outperform" rating and $8.50 PT, a 25.4% upside to stock's last close

Brokerage says LNKB's core markets remain healthy for share grab from larger super-regional banks over the foreseeable future

Adds that one of the hallmarks of the LNKB story is the branch-lite strategy that differentiates the financial institution from its peers

LNKB has expanded materially since inception in 2018 through series of acquisitions and tie-ups creating an "enviable Mid-Atlantic franchise" - brokerage

2 of 4 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and 2 "hold"; median PT $8.25 - data compiled by LSEG

As of last close, LNKB stock down 9.4% YTD