Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) was the target of a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 74,498 shares, a drop of 30.6% from the January 29th total of 107,414 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 37,030 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Approximately 1.8% of the company’s stock are short sold. Approximately 1.8% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 37,030 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Franklin Financial Services in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Kimberly Rzomp sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.07, for a total value of $81,105.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 5,842 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $315,876.94. This represents a 20.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 7.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Franklin Financial Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FRAF. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey acquired a new position in Franklin Financial Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 69.2% in the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 863 shares of the company’s stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 353 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 84.1% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 950 shares of the company’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 434 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new position in Franklin Financial Services during the third quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. acquired a new stake in Franklin Financial Services in the second quarter valued at about $79,000. 24.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Franklin Financial Services Stock Performance

Shares of FRAF stock traded up $1.48 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $52.96. The stock had a trading volume of 24,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 57,685. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $237.26 million, a PE ratio of 11.17 and a beta of -0.08. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $50.61 and its 200 day moving average is $48.95. Franklin Financial Services has a twelve month low of $32.39 and a twelve month high of $59.95.

Franklin Financial Services (NASDAQ:FRAF) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter. Franklin Financial Services had a net margin of 15.90% and a return on equity of 13.40%. The firm had revenue of $23.31 million during the quarter.

Franklin Financial Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 6th were issued a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 6th. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Franklin Financial Services’s payout ratio is presently 27.85%.

About Franklin Financial Services

Franklin Financial Services, Inc (NASDAQ: FRAF) is a U.S.‐listed specialty finance company that makes and acquires secured loans, with a focus on asset-based lending and mortgage warehouse financing. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, FFS Investment Company, a Maryland corporation regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Franklin Financial provides revolving lines of credit, term loans and other credit facilities secured primarily by residential and commercial mortgage loans, receivables and inventory.