Enterprise Financial Services Corporation $EFSC Stake Raised by PL Capital Advisors LLC

Key Points

• PL Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Enterprise Financial Services by 4.9% in the fourth quarter, buying 34,500 more shares and bringing its total to 733,329 shares worth about $39.6 million. The bank stock now accounts for roughly 12.5% of PL Capital’s portfolio, making it its third-largest holding.
• Enterprise Financial Services reported mixed quarterly results, with earnings per share of $1.31 slightly topping estimates, but revenue of $113.74 million coming in well below expectations. The company also posted a 19.81% net margin and 10.35% return on equity.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.34 per share from $0.33, putting the annualized payout at $1.36 and the yield at 2.2%. Analysts remain generally positive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $66.00.

PL Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Enterprise Financial Services Corporation (NASDAQ:EFSC - Free Report) by 4.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 733,329 shares of the bank's stock after purchasing an additional 34,500 shares during the period. Enterprise Financial Services makes up about 12.5% of PL Capital Advisors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest position. PL Capital Advisors LLC owned about 1.98% of Enterprise Financial Services worth $39,600,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 929.0% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 638 shares of the bank's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 576 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Corp boosted 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 worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 65.0% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 812 shares of the bank's stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank boosted its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 2,041 shares of the bank's stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. boosted its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 106.0% during 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 in the last quarter. 72.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Enterprise Financial Services Trading Down 1.4%

Shares of EFSC stock opened at $60.61 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $57.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.55. Enterprise Financial Services Corporation has a twelve month low of $51.18 and a twelve month high of $62.30. The company has a market capitalization of $2.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.44 and a beta of 0.79. 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 (NASDAQ:EFSC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The bank reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.01. Enterprise Financial Services had a net margin of 19.81% and a return on equity of 10.35%. The firm had revenue of $113.74 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $174.02 million. Research analysts forecast that Enterprise Financial Services Corporation will post 5.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Enterprise Financial Services Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. This is a positive change from Enterprise Financial Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Enterprise Financial Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 24.91%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

EFSC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. DA Davidson boosted their target price on shares of Enterprise Financial Services from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Weiss Ratings raised Enterprise Financial Services from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on Enterprise Financial Services from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target 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. Finally, Raymond James Financial began coverage on Enterprise Financial Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $65.00 price target for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $66.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Mark G. Ponder sold 1,250 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.55, for a total value of $75,687.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 23,526 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,424,499.30. The trade was a 5.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.20% of the company's stock.

About Enterprise Financial Services

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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