Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP Has $5.32 Million Holdings in First American Financial Corporation $FAF

Key Points

• Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP increased its ownership in First American Financial Corporation by 14.2%, holding 81,010 shares valued at approximately $5.32 million.
• First American Financial's stock received a buy rating upgrade by Wall Street Zen, with a current average target price of $75.00.
• The company recently announced a $300 million share repurchase program, indicating confidence in the stock's value amidst its reported 14.2% quarterly revenue growth.

Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of First American Financial Corporation (NYSE:FAF - Free Report) by 14.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 81,010 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 10,044 shares during the period. First American Financial makes up approximately 1.3% of Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP's portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP owned approximately 0.08% of First American Financial worth $5,317,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Adams Wealth Management increased its position in shares of First American Financial by 1.9% in the first quarter. Adams Wealth Management now owns 10,983 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $721,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. CacheTech Inc. grew its holdings in First American Financial by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. CacheTech Inc. now owns 10,983 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $721,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of First American Financial by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 43,006 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $2,823,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its stake in First American Financial by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 84,344 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $5,266,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in First American Financial by 23.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $87,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.05% of the company's stock.

First American Financial Stock Performance

Shares of FAF stock traded up $0.48 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $66.68. The company's stock had a trading volume of 356,607 shares, compared to its average volume of 885,430. First American Financial Corporation has a 1-year low of $53.09 and a 1-year high of $70.92. The company has a market cap of $6.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.84 and a beta of 1.24. The firm's 50-day moving average is $61.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $61.13.

First American Financial (NYSE:FAF - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The insurance provider reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.13. First American Financial had a net margin of 2.90% and a return on equity of 10.41%. The business had revenue of $1.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.27 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that First American Financial Corporation will post 5.35 EPS for the current year.

First American Financial announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 23rd that authorizes the company to buyback $300.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the insurance provider to repurchase up to 5.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of First American Financial from $77.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, July 28th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of First American Financial from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of First American Financial from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, First American Financial presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $75.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Margaret M. Mccarthy sold 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.63, for a total value of $229,705.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 28,095 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,843,874.85. This trade represents a 11.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 3.70% of the company's stock.

First American Financial Company Profile

First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Home Warranty segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services internationally.