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

Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 74,498 shares, a decrease of 30.6% from the January 29th total of 107,414 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 37,030 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 1.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 1.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 37,030 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Insider Transactions at Franklin Financial Services

In other news, Director Kimberly Rzomp sold 1,500 shares of Franklin Financial Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.07, for a total transaction of $81,105.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 5,842 shares in the company, valued at approximately $315,876.94. This trade represents a 20.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 6.93% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Financial Services

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FRAF. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 353 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in Franklin Financial Services by 84.1% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 950 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 434 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new stake in Franklin Financial Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey acquired a new position in shares of Franklin Financial Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Franklin Financial Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $79,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 24.80% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Franklin Financial Services Price Performance

Shares of FRAF traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $52.61. 21,840 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 56,811. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $235.64 million, a PE ratio of 11.10 and a beta of -0.08. Franklin Financial Services has a fifty-two week low of $32.39 and a fifty-two week high of $59.95. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $49.02.

Franklin Financial Services (NASDAQ:FRAF) last announced its 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 company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Investors of record on Friday, February 6th were given a dividend of $0.33 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 6th. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. Franklin Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.