Simmons First National (NASDAQ:SFNC) Stock Price Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• Simmons First National shares crossed above their 200-day moving average, reaching $24.18 and last trading at $23.94 versus the $21.42 average.
• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $24.50; targets from Raymond James and Stephens reached $25.00.
• The bank reported quarterly EPS of $0.50, below the $0.53 consensus estimate, although revenue rose 16.1% year over year. It also maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.215 per share, representing a 3.6% yield.

Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ:SFNC - Get Free Report)'s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $21.42 and traded as high as $24.18. Simmons First National shares last traded at $23.94, with a volume of 860,897 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on SFNC. Raymond James Financial restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $25.00 price target on shares of Simmons First National in a research report on Friday, July 17th. DA Davidson reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $23.00 price objective on shares of Simmons First National in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley reissued a "positive" rating on shares of Simmons First National in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c-)" rating on shares of Simmons First National in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Finally, Stephens boosted their target price on Simmons First National from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Simmons First National presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $24.50.

Simmons First National Stock Performance

The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $22.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.42. The company has a market capitalization of $3.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.46 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.92.

Simmons First National (NASDAQ:SFNC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The bank reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.03). Simmons First National had a positive return on equity of 8.32% and a negative net margin of 24.64%.The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.44 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Simmons First National Corporation will post 2.05 EPS for the current year.

Simmons First National Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.215 per share. This represents a $0.86 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. Simmons First National's payout ratio is presently -33.99%.

Institutional Trading of Simmons First National

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Simmons First National by 156.0% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,518 shares of the bank's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 925 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Simmons First National by 197.5% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,663 shares of the bank's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 1,104 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its position in Simmons First National by 35.6% during the fourth quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,884 shares of the bank's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 495 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in Simmons First National by 32.0% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 2,658 shares of the bank's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 644 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Systematic Financial Management LP purchased a new stake in Simmons First National in the 4th quarter worth about $66,000. 27.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Simmons First National Company Profile

Simmons First National Corporation NASDAQ: SFNC is a bank holding company headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Through its primary operating subsidiary, Simmons Bank, the company maintains a network of more than 200 branches across Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma and North Carolina. Simmons First National offers a full suite of financial services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients, emphasizing relationship-driven community banking.

The company's core business activities span deposit-taking, lending and payment services.

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