Stifel Financial Corporation (NYSE:SF) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Stifel Financial Corporation (NYSE:SF) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the eleven research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $90.1333.

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Zacks Research downgraded Stifel Financial from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Stifel Financial from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. UBS Group set a $100.00 target price on Stifel Financial and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $92.00 target price on Stifel Financial in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, TD Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Stifel Financial in a report on Thursday, January 29th.

Stifel Financial Price Performance

Shares of SF opened at $70.26 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.92 and a beta of 1.13. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $81.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.84. Stifel Financial has a twelve month low of $48.85 and a twelve month high of $89.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25.

Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $1.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. Stifel Financial had a net margin of 12.37% and a return on equity of 15.53%. The company’s revenue was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Stifel Financial will post 8.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Stifel Financial Increases Dividend

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

Insider Activity at Stifel Financial

In related news, insider David Rubulotta sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.87, for a total value of $49,724.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 1,488 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $123,315.52. This trade represents a 28.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 3.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Stifel Financial

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of Stifel Financial during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Activest Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Stifel Financial by 12,000.0% during the fourth quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 242 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Stifel Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Stifel Financial by 2,383.3% in the 3rd 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 last quarter. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Stifel Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.01% of the company’s stock.

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.