Simmons First National Corporation announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017. For the quarter, the company reported total interest income of $145,195,000 against $80,065,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $126,919,000 against $74,328,000 a year ago. Net income before income taxes was $45,457,000 against $39,386,000 a year ago. Net income was $18,903,000 against $26,971,000 a year ago. Diluted earnings per share were $0.43 against $0.85 per share a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.54% against 1.29% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 3.88% against 9.27% a year ago. Return on tangible common equity was 7.53% against 14.71% a year ago. Core earnings (excludes non-core items) were $42,018,000 or $0.97 per diluted share against $28,751,000 or $0.91 per diluted share a year ago. Core return on average assets was 1.20% against 1.38% a year ago. Core return on average common equity was 8.63% against 9.89% a year ago. Core return on tangible common equity was 15.97% against 15.65% a year ago.

For the year, the company reported net income of $92,940,000 or $2.66 per diluted share against $96,790,000 or $3.13 per diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.92% against 1.25% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 6.68% against 8.75% a year ago. Return on tangible common equity was 11.26% against 13.92% a year ago. Core earnings (excludes non-core items) was $119,049,000 against $101,409,000 a year ago. Diluted core earnings per share were $3.41 against $3.28 a year ago. Core return on average assets was 1.18% against 1.31% a year ago. Core return on average common equity was 8.56% against 9.17% a year ago. Core return on tangible common equity was 14.28% against 14.56% a year ago. Book value per share was $45.30 against $36.80 a year ago. Tangible book value per share was $24.68 against $23.97 a year ago.

For the quarter, the company reported net loan charged off of $10,249,000 against $2,036,000 a year ago.