Farmers National Banc Corp. (NASDAQ:FMNB) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Farmers National Banc Corp. (NASDAQ:FMNB) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 2,760,697 shares, an increase of 46.4% from the January 29th total of 1,885,348 shares. Approximately 7.6% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 584,963 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.7 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 584,963 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.7 days. Approximately 7.6% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of Farmers National Banc by 109.2% during the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 143,728 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,914,000 after purchasing an additional 75,009 shares in the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Farmers National Banc in the 4th quarter worth about $439,000. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP increased its stake in shares of Farmers National Banc by 54.9% in the 4th quarter. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP now owns 17,312 shares of the bank’s stock worth $231,000 after acquiring an additional 6,134 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Farmers National Banc by 231.9% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 263,553 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $3,511,000 after acquiring an additional 184,155 shares during the period. Finally, Man Group plc bought a new stake in Farmers National Banc during the fourth quarter worth about $838,000. 38.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Farmers National Banc Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FMNB traded down $0.51 during trading on Friday, reaching $12.93. The company had a trading volume of 1,349,328 shares, compared to its average volume of 478,747. The company has a fifty day moving average of $13.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $13.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $486.81 million, a P/E ratio of 8.92 and a beta of 0.85. Farmers National Banc has a 12 month low of $11.58 and a 12 month high of $15.50.

Farmers National Banc (NASDAQ:FMNB) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The bank reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.47 by ($0.07). Farmers National Banc had a return on equity of 13.34% and a net margin of 19.50%.The company had revenue of $49.89 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $50.70 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Farmers National Banc will post 1.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Farmers National Banc Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th were given a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.3%. Farmers National Banc’s payout ratio is presently 46.90%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on FMNB shares. Zacks Research lowered shares of Farmers National Banc from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Farmers National Banc in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Piper Sandler cut their price target on Farmers National Banc from $16.00 to $14.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Farmers National Banc from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Farmers National Banc presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $14.50.

About Farmers National Banc

Farmers National Banc Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Farmers National Bank, a community-oriented financial institution headquartered in Ada, Ohio. The company provides a comprehensive suite of banking services through a network of branches serving rural and small-town markets across central Ohio. Its local decision-making model emphasizes personalized customer service and close ties to the communities it serves.

The company’s primary business activities include the origination of commercial loans, consumer installment loans, agricultural financing, and residential mortgages.