Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New $1.25 Million Investment in Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE:BFS)

Key Points

• Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH has acquired a new position in Saul Centers, Inc., purchasing 34,725 shares valued at approximately $1.25 million, representing about 0.14% ownership in the company.
• Saul Centers recently reported quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $0.71, missing the consensus estimate of $0.73, while revenue for the quarter was $70.55 million, exceeding expectations.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.59 with a yield of 7.3%, despite having a payout ratio of 160.54%.

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE:BFS - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 34,725 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock, valued at approximately $1,253,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned about 0.14% of Saul Centers as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BFS. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in Saul Centers in the 4th quarter worth approximately $105,000. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Saul Centers in the 4th quarter worth approximately $179,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new position in Saul Centers in the 4th quarter worth approximately $208,000. First Trust Advisors LP bought a new position in Saul Centers in the 4th quarter worth approximately $215,000. Finally, Gallacher Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Saul Centers in the 1st quarter worth approximately $201,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.99% of the company's stock.

Saul Centers Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BFS traded down $0.45 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $31.77. 81,230 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 56,565. The stock has a market capitalization of $768.83 million, a PE ratio of 21.61 and a beta of 1.11. The company's 50 day moving average price is $34.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.74. Saul Centers, Inc. has a 52 week low of $31.25 and a 52 week high of $42.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.04.

Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.73 by ($0.02). Saul Centers had a net margin of 17.09% and a return on equity of 14.69%. The firm had revenue of $70.55 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $69.76 million. Sell-side analysts forecast that Saul Centers, Inc. will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Saul Centers Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were paid a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 15th. Saul Centers's dividend payout ratio is currently 160.54%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO B Francis Saul II acquired 7,179 shares of Saul Centers stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $33.59 per share, with a total value of $241,142.61. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 214,576 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,207,607.84. This trade represents a 3.46% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders have purchased a total of 10,210 shares of company stock valued at $341,786 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 56.57% of the company's stock.

Saul Centers Company 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.