First Trust Advisors LP Invests $310,000 in Peoples Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:PFIS)

First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in Peoples Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:PFIS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 6,060 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $310,000. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.06% of Peoples Financial Services at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in Peoples Financial Services during the fourth quarter worth $126,000. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its position in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 21.6% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,873 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $198,000 after acquiring an additional 688 shares during the period. Martingale Asset Management L P raised its holdings in Peoples Financial Services by 11.9% in the 4th quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 5,373 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $275,000 after acquiring an additional 570 shares during the period. Walleye Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Peoples Financial Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $466,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Peoples Financial Services by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 10,138 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $519,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.67% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Peoples Financial Services

In other Peoples Financial Services news, Director Richard S. Lochen, Jr. acquired 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $47.12 per share, for a total transaction of $47,120.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 17,129 shares in the company, valued at approximately $807,118.48. This trade represents a 6.20% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 8.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Peoples Financial Services Trading Up 0.5%

PFIS traded up $0.26 during trading on Thursday, reaching $50.63. 4,340 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 23,796. The stock has a market capitalization of $506.04 million, a PE ratio of 44.21 and a beta of 0.70. The stock's 50-day moving average is $44.31 and its 200 day moving average is $48.98. Peoples Financial Services Corp. has a 12 month low of $37.62 and a 12 month high of $59.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $62.43 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $44.35 million. Peoples Financial Services had a net margin of 3.70% and a return on equity of 8.97%. Equities analysts anticipate that Peoples Financial Services Corp. will post 5.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Peoples Financial Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.6175 per share. This represents a $2.47 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. Peoples Financial Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 115.96%.

About Peoples Financial Services

Peoples Financial Services Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company that provides various commercial and retail banking services. The company accepts money market, negotiable order of withdrawal, savings, individual retirement, demand deposit, and certificates of deposit accounts.