Bank First (NASDAQ:BFC) Sees Strong Trading Volume - Still a Buy?

Bank First Co. (NASDAQ:BFC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 17,391 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 9% from the previous session's volume of 19,214 shares.The stock last traded at $102.51 and had previously closed at $103.52.

Bank First Trading Up 0.8 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.63 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $102.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $99.31.

Bank First (NASDAQ:BFC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 21st. The company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.19. Bank First had a return on equity of 10.53% and a net margin of 29.00%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Bank First Co. will post 6.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank First Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 26th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 26th. Bank First's payout ratio is currently 27.69%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Daniel C. Mcconeghy acquired 380 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of $105.72 per share, with a total value of $40,173.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at $211,440. The trade was a 23.46 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Michael S. Stayer-Suprick bought 1,000 shares of Bank First stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $102.07 per share, for a total transaction of $102,070.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,035 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $309,782.45. This represents a 49.14 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 4.10% of the company's stock.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank First

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bank First during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Bank First by 771.4% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 305 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in Bank First during the 4th quarter worth approximately $189,000. Hanlon Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Bank First in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $218,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC purchased a new position in shares of Bank First during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $230,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 29.95% of the company's stock.

About Bank First

Bank First Corporation operates as a holding company for Bank First, N.A. that provides consumer and commercial financial services to businesses, professionals, consumers, associations, individuals, and governmental authorities in Wisconsin. It offers checking, savings, money market, cash management, retirement, and health savings accounts; other time deposits; certificates of deposit; and residential mortgage products.