Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ:EFSC) Upgraded at Benchmark

Key Points

• Benchmark upgraded Enterprise Financial Services to “strong buy,” contributing to a consensus “moderate buy” rating and an average analyst price target of $70.
• EFSC shares rose 1.4% to $60.69, with a $2.20 billion market capitalization and a 52-week trading range of $51.18 to $68.73.
• The bank’s latest quarterly results fell short of estimates, reporting $1.13 in EPS versus the $1.33 consensus and revenue of $187.37 million versus $189.15 million expected; institutional investors own 72.21% of the stock.

Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ:EFSC - Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at Benchmark to a "strong-buy" rating in a report issued on Wednesday, Zacks reports.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on EFSC. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Enterprise Financial Services in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Stephens started coverage on shares of Enterprise Financial Services in a research note on Friday, September 18th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $70.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Enterprise Financial Services from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, September 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Enterprise Financial Services from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their target price on Enterprise Financial Services from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $70.00.

Enterprise Financial Services Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of NASDAQ:EFSC opened at $60.69 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $64.54 and a 200-day moving average of $61.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market cap of $2.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.07 and a beta of 0.78. Enterprise Financial Services has a twelve month low of $51.18 and a twelve month high of $68.73.

Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ:EFSC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 22nd. The bank reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.33 by ($0.20). Enterprise Financial Services had a return on equity of 9.70% and a net margin of 18.72%.The business had revenue of $187.37 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $189.15 million. As a group, analysts anticipate that Enterprise Financial Services will post 5.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Enterprise Financial Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Emerald Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Enterprise Financial Services during the second quarter worth about $5,922,000. Corient Private Wealth LP purchased a new stake in Enterprise Financial Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,598,000. NFJ Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in Enterprise Financial Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $5,993,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in Enterprise Financial Services by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 397,357 shares of the bank's stock worth $21,501,000 after purchasing an additional 21,269 shares during the period. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new position in Enterprise Financial Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,237,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.21% of the company's stock.

Enterprise Financial Services Company Profile

Enterprise Financial Services Corp. is a financial holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Through its principal subsidiary, Enterprise Bank & Trust, the company provides banking and wealth management services to businesses, professionals, individuals and families.

Enterprise Bank & Trust offers commercial and personal deposit accounts, loans, lines of credit, treasury management, cash management, online banking and other financial services. Its commercial banking activities include lending to operating companies, commercial real estate borrowers and small businesses, while its wealth management business provides investment management, trust, financial planning and related services.

Founded in 1990, the company serves clients through banking and wealth management operations in Missouri, Kansas, Arizona and New Mexico.

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