Nuveen LLC Takes Position in Saul Centers, Inc. $BFS

Key Points

• Nuveen LLC has taken a new position in Saul Centers, Inc. ($BFS), acquiring 72,012 shares valued at approximately $2.60 million, representing about 0.30% ownership of the company.
• Saul Centers recently reported earnings of $0.73 per share, missing the consensus estimate of $0.75, and had a revenue of $69.43 million for the quarter, below the estimated $71.39 million.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share, yielding approximately 7.0%, although its dividend payout ratio stands at a high 178.79%.

Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE:BFS - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 72,012 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock, valued at approximately $2,597,000. Nuveen LLC owned about 0.30% of Saul Centers as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BFS. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in Saul Centers during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,549,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new position in Saul Centers during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,253,000. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in Saul Centers by 27.1% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 140,411 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $5,448,000 after purchasing an additional 29,951 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Saul Centers during the first quarter valued at approximately $792,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its position in Saul Centers by 84.6% during the fourth quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 38,421 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $1,491,000 after purchasing an additional 17,613 shares during the last quarter. 49.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Saul Centers Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE BFS traded down $0.09 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $33.36. 73,946 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 50,628. The business's 50-day moving average is $33.48 and its 200-day moving average is $34.17. Saul Centers, Inc. has a twelve month low of $31.25 and a twelve month high of $42.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.16, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $812.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.27 and a beta of 1.19.

Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.75 by ($0.02). Saul Centers had a net margin of 15.51% and a return on equity of 13.79%. The company had revenue of $69.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $71.39 million. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Saul Centers, Inc. will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Saul Centers Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were given a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 15th. Saul Centers's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 178.79%.

Saul Centers Profile

Saul Centers is a self-managed, self-administered equity REIT headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Saul Centers currently operates and manages a real estate portfolio comprised of 61 properties that includes (a) 57 community and neighborhood Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use properties with approximately 9.8 million square feet of leasable area and (b) four land and development properties.