The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that TD Securities analyst Graham Ryding is sticking with his "buy" recommendation for EQB. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Ryding gave his share target a $2 boost to $90. Analysts on average target the shares at $90.88. The Globe says EQB logged adjusted earnings per share of $2.98 for the second quarter, easily exceeding the consensus projection on the Street of $2.58 as loans under management jumped 3 per cent from the previous quarter and net interest margins grew 0.07 per cent. EQB now expects diluted earnings-per-share growth of 18 to 22 per cent, up from its previous 10- to 15-per-cent forecast. It also bumped its quarterly dividend by 3 per cent to 38 cents per share. Mr. Ryding says in a note: "EQB delivered a record quarter for EPS, which was comfortably above our forecast and consensus. NIM was stronger than expected, up 7 basis points quarter-over-quarter. Non-interest income was also strong, and non-interest expenses were lower than expected. Somewhat offsetting were higher-than-expected PCLs, and arrears moving materially higher q/q. Our revised estimates are toward the high end of guidance (revised higher)."