All-Star Stock Breaks Out As Big Demand Lifts Shares

Earlier this month, Piper Sandler named Esquire Financial (ESQ) as one its 2025 Bank & Thrift Sm-All Stars, which highlights the top performing small-cap banks and thrifts in the country. With that accolade under its belt, the company stands among the top financial stocks to watch as it continues to flirt with a breakout to an all-time high.

And that’s just one reason to keep an eye on Esquire Financial. The Russell 2000 Index member continues to flash clear signs of demand, solid and steady growth and market-leading price performance.

Stocks To Watch: Esquire Fuels Demand

Based in Jericho, N.Y., Esquire Financial is geared to serve the financial needs of the litigation industry and small businesses nationally. It also works with commercial and retail customers in the New York metropolitan area. Through Esquire Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary, it offers tailored financial and payment processing solutions to the litigation community and their clients as well as flexible payment processing solutions to small business owners.

The financial firm has branches in New York, Los Angeles and Boca Raton, Fla.

Steady top- and bottom-line growth continues to drive demand for shares. Over the last six quarters, the 2017 initial public offering has posted sales growth ranging from 14% to 18%. Over the same period, earnings growth has come in between 10% and 16%.

In the third quarter, Esquire Financial posted 18% revenue growth to $37.6 million. Earnings for the small cap rose 12% to $1.47 per share. Analysts forecast double-digit earnings and sales growth for the next three quarters.

For the full year, Wall Street expects 10% earnings growth to $5.63 per share, followed by an 11% rise to $6.26 a share in 2026.

Clear signs of demand for Esquire include an A- Accumulation/Distribution Rating and a 1.9 up/down volume ratio. The stock has also seen four quarters of rising fund ownership.

Esquire Financial Flashing Positive Technical Indicators

Big demand and steady growth have shares of Esquire Financial flashing several telltale signs of strength.

Showing stock market leadership, the small cap’s relative strength line stands right around a 52-week high. Earlier this month, the shorter-term 21-day exponential moving average surged back above the longer-term 50-day line — a sign of rising technical strength.

Securing its spot among the top financial stocks to watch right now, Esquire continues to tease a 107.25 buy point in a flat base. On Thursday, shares rose over 2.5%, lifting the stock into buy range. But the stock slipped just below buy range on Friday to close out the week.

The Russell 2000 small cap also sports a 96 Composite Rating, meaning it is outpacing 96% of all stocks in terms of key fundamental and technical factors.

Follow Matthew Galgani on X (formerly Twitter) at @IBD_MGalgani.

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