Enterprise Financial Services Corporation $EFSC Shares Sold by Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors sharply reduced its stake in Enterprise Financial Services, cutting its holdings by 52.9% in the fourth quarter and selling 21,908 shares.
• EFSC reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings of $1.31 per share, though revenue came in below analyst estimates. The company also posted a 10.35% return on equity and a 19.81% net margin.
• The bank raised its quarterly dividend to $0.34 per share, implying a 2.3% annual yield, while analysts currently maintain a Moderate Buy consensus with a $66 average price target.

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC cut its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services Corporation (NASDAQ:EFSC - Free Report) by 52.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,488 shares of the bank's stock after selling 21,908 shares during the period. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC owned 0.05% of Enterprise Financial Services worth $1,052,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EFSC. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 929.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 638 shares of the bank's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 576 shares during the period. First Horizon Corp grew its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 55.6% during the 4th quarter. First Horizon Corp now owns 708 shares of the bank's stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 65.0% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 812 shares of the bank's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank increased its stake in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 17.4% in the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 2,041 shares of the bank's stock valued at $118,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in Enterprise Financial Services by 106.0% in the 2nd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 2,182 shares of the bank's stock worth $120,000 after purchasing an additional 1,123 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.21% of the company's stock.

Enterprise Financial Services Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of Enterprise Financial Services stock opened at $60.28 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Enterprise Financial Services Corporation has a twelve month low of $51.18 and a twelve month high of $62.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.21 billion, a PE ratio of 11.37 and a beta of 0.79. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $57.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.60.

Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ:EFSC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The bank reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $113.74 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $174.02 million. Enterprise Financial Services had a return on equity of 10.35% and a net margin of 19.81%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Enterprise Financial Services Corporation will post 5.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Enterprise Financial Services Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. This is an increase from Enterprise Financial Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Enterprise Financial Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 24.91%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on EFSC shares. Raymond James Financial began coverage on Enterprise Financial Services in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on Enterprise Financial Services from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Enterprise Financial Services from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, May 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Enterprise Financial Services from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Enterprise Financial Services presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $66.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Enterprise Financial Services news, EVP Mark G. Ponder sold 1,250 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.55, for a total value of $75,687.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 23,526 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,424,499.30. This trade represents a 5.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.20% of the company's stock.

Enterprise Financial Services Company Profile

Enterprise Financial Services Corp. NASDAQ: EFSC is a bank holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri, operating through its primary subsidiary, Enterprise Bank & Trust. The company provides a comprehensive range of banking and financial services to individuals, small- and mid-sized businesses, and institutional clients. Its capabilities encompass deposit products, lending solutions, mortgage banking, and treasury management, supported by a full suite of digital banking tools and personalized client service.

In its commercial banking segment, Enterprise Bank & Trust offers lines of credit, equipment financing, commercial real estate loans, construction lending and agriculture lending.

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