Short Interest in C&F Financial Co. (NASDAQ:CFFI) Rises By 20.1%

C&F Financial Co. (NASDAQ:CFFI - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 32,800 shares, an increase of 20.1% from the February 28th total of 27,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 10,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.2 days. Approximately 1.1% of the company's stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of C&F Financial from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other C&F Financial news, CEO Mark A. Fox sold 1,032 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.00, for a total transaction of $83,592.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 11,005 shares in the company, valued at approximately $891,405. This represents a 8.57 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 6.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its stake in C&F Financial by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 107,585 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $7,665,000 after purchasing an additional 327 shares during the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of C&F Financial by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 42,893 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $3,056,000 after buying an additional 471 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of C&F Financial by 10.1% in the fourth quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 5,143 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $366,000 after acquiring an additional 473 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in C&F Financial by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 14,203 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,012,000 after acquiring an additional 671 shares during the period. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its holdings in shares of C&F Financial by 234.7% during the fourth quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 1,831 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $130,000 after acquiring an additional 1,284 shares in the last quarter. 37.23% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

C&F Financial Stock Down 1.7 %

CFFI stock traded down $1.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $59.06. The company's stock had a trading volume of 11,409 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,130. C&F Financial has a 52-week low of $33.51 and a 52-week high of $89.90. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $75.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $70.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $191.35 million, a P/E ratio of 9.79 and a beta of 0.32.

C&F Financial (NASDAQ:CFFI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 EPS for the quarter. C&F Financial had a return on equity of 8.97% and a net margin of 11.67%.

C&F Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This is a positive change from C&F Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.44. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. C&F Financial's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.51%.

C&F Financial Company Profile

C&F Financial Corp. is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of banking services to individuals and businesses. It operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Mortgage Banking and Consumer Finance. The Community Banking segment provides checking and savings deposit accounts, business, real estate, development, mortgage, home equity, and installment loans.