Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Boosts Stake in Peoples Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:PFIS)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:PFIS - Free Report) by 4.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 232,031 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 9,889 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 2.32% of Peoples Financial Services worth $11,876,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC bought a new position in Peoples Financial Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,921,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Peoples Financial Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $938,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 377.8% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 20,442 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $958,000 after buying an additional 16,164 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its holdings in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 304.8% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 12,270 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $576,000 after buying an additional 9,239 shares during the period. Finally, Walleye Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $466,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.67% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Peoples Financial Services

In other Peoples Financial Services news, Director Richard S. Lochen, Jr. acquired 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 5th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $47.12 per share, with a total value of $47,120.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 17,129 shares in the company, valued at $807,118.48. The trade was a 6.20% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 8.00% of the company's stock.

Peoples Financial Services Trading Up 0.5%

Peoples Financial Services stock traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $50.63. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,340 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,796. The stock has a market cap of $506.04 million, a PE ratio of 44.21 and a beta of 0.70. Peoples Financial Services Corp. has a one year low of $37.62 and a one year high of $59.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.93. The company has a 50 day moving average of $44.31 and a 200-day moving average of $48.98.

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $62.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $44.35 million. Peoples Financial Services had a net margin of 3.70% and a return on equity of 8.97%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Peoples Financial Services Corp. will post 5.92 EPS for the current year.

Peoples Financial Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a dividend of $0.6175 per share. This represents a $2.47 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.88%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. Peoples Financial Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 115.96%.

About Peoples Financial Services

Peoples Financial Services Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company that provides various commercial and retail banking services. The company accepts money market, negotiable order of withdrawal, savings, individual retirement, demand deposit, and certificates of deposit accounts.