Wall Street Zen Upgrades Franklin Financial Services (NASDAQ:FRAF) to Buy

Franklin Financial Services (NASDAQ:FRAF) was upgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday.

Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on FRAF. Hovde Group initiated coverage on Franklin Financial Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $59.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Franklin Financial Services in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $59.00.

Franklin Financial Services Trading Down 0.6%

NASDAQ FRAF opened at $49.06 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $219.79 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.35 and a beta of -0.08. Franklin Financial Services has a twelve month low of $32.39 and a twelve month high of $59.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The business’s fifty day moving average is $50.52 and its 200 day moving average is $49.43.

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

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kimberly Rzomp sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.07, for a total transaction of $81,105.00. Following the sale, the director owned 5,842 shares in the company, valued at $315,876.94. This represents a 20.43% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 7.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Franklin Financial Services

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 391,773.0% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 16,125,574 shares of the company’s stock worth $809,504,000 after buying an additional 16,121,459 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 109.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 98,224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,401,000 after acquiring an additional 51,407 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 333.6% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 45,468 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,575,000 after acquiring an additional 34,982 shares during the period. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA boosted its stake in Franklin Financial Services by 2,373.8% during the third quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA now owns 26,742 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,230,000 after acquiring an additional 25,661 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Informed Momentum Co LLC bought a new position in Franklin Financial Services during the fourth quarter worth $1,231,000. 24.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Franklin Financial Services Company Profile

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.