First Business Financial Services (NASDAQ:FBIZ) Shares Pass Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• FBIZ shares moved above their 200-day moving average, trading as high as $64.27 and last changing hands at $63.30, a technical signal that may indicate improving momentum.
• Analysts remain constructive on First Business Financial Services, with an average Buy rating and a consensus price target of $65.50; several firms recently reiterated bullish views.
• The company posted solid fundamentals, including Q1 EPS of $1.44 versus estimates of $1.42 and a 2.1% dividend yield, while institutional ownership stands at about 60%.

First Business Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBIZ - Get Free Report)'s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $57.18 and traded as high as $64.27. First Business Financial Services shares last traded at $63.30, with a volume of 59,240 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings raised First Business Financial Services from a "buy (b+)" rating to a "buy (a-)" rating in a report on Monday, June 15th. DA Davidson reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $65.00 price objective on shares of First Business Financial Services in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $64.00 price objective on shares of First Business Financial Services in a research report on Monday, April 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have given a Buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $65.50.

First Business Financial Services Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $59.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $57.18. The company has a market cap of $529.31 million, a PE ratio of 10.43 and a beta of 0.66.

First Business Financial Services (NASDAQ:FBIZ - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $44.29 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $43.40 million. First Business Financial Services had a return on equity of 14.60% and a net margin of 18.16%. On average, equities analysts predict that First Business Financial Services, Inc. will post 6.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

First Business Financial Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 6th were issued a dividend of $0.34 per share. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 6th. First Business Financial Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 22.41%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Business Financial Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Business Financial Services during the 1st quarter worth $231,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of First Business Financial Services by 36.2% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 24,024 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,296,000 after purchasing an additional 6,379 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings in shares of First Business Financial Services by 9.5% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 41,982 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,264,000 after purchasing an additional 3,655 shares in the last quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its holdings in shares of First Business Financial Services by 29.3% in the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 13,359 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $720,000 after purchasing an additional 3,030 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of First Business Financial Services by 34.6% in the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 16,773 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $905,000 after purchasing an additional 4,312 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.07% of the company's stock.

About First Business Financial Services

First Business Financial Services, Inc NASDAQ: FBIZ is a bank holding company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, offering a suite of commercial banking and financial services. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Business Bank, the company provides relationship-driven lending, deposit and treasury management solutions to small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations and high-net-worth individuals. Its core products include commercial real estate financing, equipment leasing, SBA-guaranteed lending, and cash management services.

In addition to lending and depository services, First Business Bank delivers investment advisory and wealth management through dedicated trust and private banking teams.

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