Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS) Sees Large Volume Increase - Should You Buy?

Peoples Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 55,488 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 132% from the previous session's volume of 23,897 shares.The stock last traded at $51.32 and had previously closed at $51.23.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded Peoples Financial Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday.

Peoples Financial Services Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $510.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.97 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $49.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.94.

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $62.43 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $44.35 million. Peoples Financial Services had a return on equity of 10.37% and a net margin of 7.83%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Peoples Financial Services Corp. will post 5.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Peoples Financial Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th were given a dividend of $0.6175 per share. This represents a $2.47 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.84%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 30th. Peoples Financial Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 115.96%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Peoples Financial Services

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Peoples Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth $126,000. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in Peoples Financial Services in the first quarter valued at about $203,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new position in Peoples Financial Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $239,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 5,513 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $245,000 after acquiring an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Martingale Asset Management L P boosted its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 11.9% during the 4th quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 5,373 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $275,000 after acquiring an additional 570 shares in the last quarter. 31.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Peoples Financial Services Company Profile

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.