Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS) Sees Strong Trading Volume - What's Next?

Key Points

• Saul Centers shares saw elevated trading activity, with about 125,992 shares changing hands—46% above the prior session—and closing at $30.11 versus $29.72 previously.
• The REIT reported quarterly EPS of $0.24, beating estimates of $0.14, although revenue of $72.8 million fell short of the $78.98 million consensus forecast. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating.
• Saul Centers declared a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share, equivalent to $2.36 annually and a 7.9% yield; institutional investors and hedge funds own approximately 49.99% of the stock.

Shares of Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE:BFS - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday. Approximately 125,992 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 46% from the previous session's volume of 86,379 shares. The stock last traded at $30.11 and had previously closed at $29.72.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Saul Centers in a report on Friday, July 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Saul Centers presently has an average rating of "Hold".

Saul Centers Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $740.03 million, a P/E ratio of 30.87 and a beta of 0.91. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $32.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.64, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.62.

Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.10. Saul Centers had a return on equity of 11.97% and a net margin of 11.54%.The company had revenue of $72.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $78.98 million.

Saul Centers Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 15th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.9%. Saul Centers's payout ratio is presently 243.30%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Saul Centers

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State Street Corp increased its stake in Saul Centers by 9.9% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 570,914 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $21,346,000 after acquiring an additional 51,504 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Saul Centers in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $425,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Saul Centers during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $271,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in shares of Saul Centers by 1,758.0% during the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 19,063 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $713,000 after purchasing an additional 18,037 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Saul Centers during the second quarter valued at approximately $556,000. 49.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Saul Centers

Saul Centers, Inc is a self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, operates and manages income-producing commercial real estate. The company focuses primarily on shopping centers, including grocery-anchored and neighborhood retail properties, as well as mixed-use developments that combine retail, residential and office space.

Founded in 1993, Saul Centers has built a portfolio concentrated in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and surrounding Mid-Atlantic markets, including Maryland and Virginia.

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