Enterprise Financial Services Corporation (NASDAQ:EFSC) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Enterprise Financial Services Corporation (NASDAQ:EFSC) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 466,490 shares, a drop of 20.8% from the December 15th total of 589,082 shares. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 202,552 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 202,552 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.3 days. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Jag Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Enterprise Financial Services by 1.7% in the third quarter. Jag Capital Management LLC now owns 11,336 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $657,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the period. Comerica Bank grew its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 2,041 shares of the bank’s stock worth $118,000 after buying an additional 303 shares during the period. Keybank National Association OH increased its stake in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 8,001 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $464,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System raised its position in shares of Enterprise Financial Services by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 34,482 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,900,000 after acquiring an additional 345 shares during the period. Finally, F m Investments LLC boosted its stake in Enterprise Financial Services by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. F m Investments LLC now owns 73,611 shares of the bank’s stock worth $4,056,000 after acquiring an additional 359 shares during the last quarter. 72.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Enterprise Financial Services Stock Performance

EFSC stock traded up $0.09 on Tuesday, reaching $55.57. 34,668 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 128,914. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.06 billion, a PE ratio of 10.81 and a beta of 0.84. Enterprise Financial Services has a 12 month low of $45.22 and a 12 month high of $62.60. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $54.94 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Enterprise Financial Services (NASDAQ:EFSC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The bank reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $177.84 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $176.52 million. Enterprise Financial Services had a return on equity of 10.82% and a net margin of 19.98%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Enterprise Financial Services will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Enterprise Financial Services Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This is a boost from Enterprise Financial Services’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Enterprise Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio is 24.90%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Enterprise Financial Services from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Enterprise Financial Services from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. DA Davidson reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $69.00 price target on shares of Enterprise Financial Services in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Enterprise Financial Services from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Enterprise Financial Services from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Enterprise Financial Services presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $65.67.

About Enterprise Financial Services

Enterprise Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ: EFSC) is a bank holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri, operating through its primary subsidiary, Enterprise Bank & Trust. The company provides a comprehensive range of banking and financial services to individuals, small- and mid-sized businesses, and institutional clients. Its capabilities encompass deposit products, lending solutions, mortgage banking, and treasury management, supported by a full suite of digital banking tools and personalized client service.

In its commercial banking segment, Enterprise Bank & Trust offers lines of credit, equipment financing, commercial real estate loans, construction lending and agriculture lending.