Stifel Financial Corporation (NYSE:SF) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Stifel Financial Corporation (NYSE:SF) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 4,870,686 shares, an increase of 56.4% from the February 12th total of 3,114,627 shares. Approximately 3.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,834,973 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,834,973 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.7 days. Approximately 3.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Stifel Financial Price Performance

Shares of SF stock traded down $0.56 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $70.26. 1,122,943 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,522,068. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $81.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.84. The firm has a market cap of $10.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.92 and a beta of 1.13. Stifel Financial has a twelve month low of $48.85 and a twelve month high of $89.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.84.

Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $1.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. Stifel Financial had a return on equity of 15.53% and a net margin of 12.37%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Stifel Financial will post 8.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Stifel Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This is a positive change from Stifel Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Stifel Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 34.69%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

SF has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citizens Jmp raised their target price on shares of Stifel Financial from $93.33 to $103.33 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $92.00 price target on shares of Stifel Financial in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Citigroup reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Stifel Financial in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Stifel Financial from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Stifel Financial from $88.67 to $90.67 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Stifel Financial has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $90.13.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider David Rubulotta sold 600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.87, for a total transaction of $49,724.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 1,488 shares in the company, valued at $123,315.52. The trade was a 28.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 3.28% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Stifel Financial

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Stifel Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Activest Wealth Management grew its holdings in Stifel Financial by 12,000.0% during the fourth quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 242 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Holdings LLC bought a new position in shares of Stifel Financial in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its position in shares of Stifel Financial by 2,383.3% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 298 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Stifel Financial in the fourth quarter worth $34,000. 82.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Stifel Financial

Stifel Financial Corp. is a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1890, the firm has grown into a full‐service brokerage and investment banking organization serving individual investors, corporations and institutions. Through its principal subsidiary, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, the company delivers a broad array of financial products and services backed by research‐driven insights.

The firm’s main business activities are organized into two core segments: Private Client Group and Institutional Group.