C&F Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:CFFI) Short Interest Up 24.4% in March

Key Points

• Short interest rose 24.4% in March to 48,558 shares (about 1.6% of shares), resulting in a high days-to-cover of 14.1 based on average daily volume of 3,437 shares.
• Quarterly dividend increased to $0.48 (annualized $1.92), up from $0.46, implying a ~2.6% yield; the ex-dividend date was March 13 and the dividend is payable April 1.
• Shares trade near $72.79 with a market cap of $237.3M and a P/E of 8.88; the company reported solid profitability (ROE 10.82%, net margin 14.43%) and carries a consensus analyst rating of "Hold."

C&F Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:CFFI - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 48,558 shares, a growth of 24.4% from the February 26th total of 39,041 shares. Approximately 1.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,437 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 14.1 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of C&F Financial in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

C&F Financial Stock Performance

NASDAQ:CFFI traded up $0.90 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $72.79. 4,111 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,955. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $74.44 and its 200 day simple moving average is $71.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $237.28 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.88 and a beta of 0.34. C&F Financial has a fifty-two week low of $53.13 and a fifty-two week high of $80.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.91.

C&F Financial (NASDAQ:CFFI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The financial services provider reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter. C&F Financial had a return on equity of 10.82% and a net margin of 14.43%.The firm had revenue of $35.88 million for the quarter.

C&F Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. This is a boost from C&F Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. C&F Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.19%.

Institutional Trading of C&F Financial

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of C&F Financial during the third quarter worth approximately $854,000. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey bought a new stake in shares of C&F Financial in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Siena Capital Partners GP LLC bought a new stake in shares of C&F Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $500,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in C&F Financial by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 72,922 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $5,295,000 after buying an additional 509 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in C&F Financial by 7.1% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 15,218 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,026,000 after buying an additional 1,015 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 37.23% of the company's stock.

About C&F Financial

C&F Financial Corporation is the bank holding company for C&F Bank, a community‐focused financial institution headquartered in Stephens City, Virginia. Founded in 1921, the company has grown from a single local bank into a regional franchise serving both retail and commercial clients. While the holding company trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker CFFI, its principal activities remain centered on traditional banking services designed to foster long-term relationships within its communities.

C&F Bank offers a full suite of deposit and lending products, including checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and consumer and commercial loan facilities.

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