Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ:EFSC) Stock Crosses Above Fifty Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• EFSC shares moved above their 50-day moving average, reaching $62.76 before closing at $62.28, compared with a 50-day average of $61.71.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with a consensus “Buy” rating and an average price target of $69.20; recent actions included upgrades from Benchmark and Piper Sandler.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $0.35 to $0.36 per share, implying an annualized dividend of $1.44 and a 2.3% yield, despite its latest quarterly EPS falling short of estimates.

Enterprise Financial Services Corporation (NASDAQ:EFSC - Get Free Report)'s stock price crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $61.71 and traded as high as $62.76. Enterprise Financial Services shares last traded at $62.28, with a volume of 344,158 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on EFSC shares. Stephens began coverage on Enterprise Financial Services in a research report on Friday, September 18th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $70.00 target price on the stock. Benchmark upgraded Enterprise Financial Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on Enterprise Financial Services from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Piper Sandler upgraded Enterprise Financial Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $64.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Enterprise Financial Services in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $69.20.

Enterprise Financial Services Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $61.71 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.45. The stock has a market cap of $2.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.51 and a beta of 0.82.

Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ:EFSC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 21st. The bank reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by ($0.21). Enterprise Financial Services had a net margin of 18.83% and a return on equity of 9.52%. The business had revenue of $192.53 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $193.09 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Enterprise Financial Services Corporation will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Enterprise Financial Services Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 15th will be issued a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 15th. This is a positive change from Enterprise Financial Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Enterprise Financial Services's payout ratio is currently 28.11%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Enterprise Financial Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 56.2% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 564 shares of the bank's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its stake in Enterprise Financial Services by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 8,352 shares of the bank's stock valued at $452,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 3.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 9,434 shares of the bank's stock worth $510,000 after buying an additional 333 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in Enterprise Financial Services by 66.3% during the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 850 shares of the bank's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Enterprise Financial Services by 57.5% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,216 shares of the bank's stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 444 shares in the last quarter. 72.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Enterprise Financial Services Company Profile

Enterprise Financial Services Corp. is a financial holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Its principal subsidiary, Enterprise Bank & Trust, provides banking and financial services to businesses, professionals, institutions and individuals.

The company offers commercial and small-business lending, deposit accounts, treasury management, private banking, wealth management, trust and estate services, and other financial solutions. Its commercial banking capabilities include financing for working capital, equipment, real estate and business expansion.

Enterprise Bank & Trust serves customers through banking markets that include St.

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