Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. Takes $44 Million Position in Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. $ESQ

Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESQ - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 369,416 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,001,000. Esquire Financial accounts for about 1.8% of Basswood Capital Management L.L.C.'s portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. owned approximately 3.05% of Esquire Financial as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in Esquire Financial during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its stake in Esquire Financial by 247.8% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 553 shares of the company's stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Esquire Financial by 64.3% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 690 shares of the company's stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Esquire Financial by 352.5% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 810 shares of the company's stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Esquire Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $93,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.66% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Esquire Financial

In other news, Director Robert Mitzman sold 3,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.60, for a total value of $388,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 139,679 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,102,398.40. This represents a 2.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 13.90% of the company's stock.

Esquire Financial Stock Performance

Shares of ESQ opened at $112.66 on Thursday. Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. has a 52 week low of $92.10 and a 52 week high of $134.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.59 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $121.80 and a 200-day moving average of $113.19.

Esquire Financial (NASDAQ:ESQ - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.04. Esquire Financial had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 29.30%.The business had revenue of $42.13 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $41.59 million. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. will post 6.9 EPS for the current year.

Esquire Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Esquire Financial's payout ratio is 13.20%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ESQ has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded Esquire Financial from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. Weiss Ratings raised Esquire Financial from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (a-)" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $120.33.

Esquire Financial Company Profile

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiary, Esquire Bank, specializes in residential mortgage lending and community banking services. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company operates through multiple distribution channels, including retail branches, wholesale and correspondent lending divisions. Esquire Financial focuses on tailored home financing solutions while maintaining a community-oriented approach to banking.

In its mortgage lending business, Esquire Bank originates and services a range of home loan products, including government-insured mortgages (FHA, VA and USDA) as well as conventional conforming and jumbo loans.

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