First American Financial Co. (NYSE:FAF) Short Interest Up 61.3% in March

First American Financial Co. (NYSE:FAF - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,710,000 shares, a growth of 61.3% from the February 28th total of 1,060,000 shares. Currently, 1.7% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 592,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.9 days.

First American Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:FAF traded up $0.30 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $66.76. 217,644 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 594,530. First American Financial has a one year low of $51.60 and a one year high of $70.92. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $64.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $64.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.88 billion, a PE ratio of 53.41 and a beta of 1.34.

First American Financial (NYSE:FAF - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The insurance provider reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.22. First American Financial had a net margin of 2.14% and a return on equity of 9.35%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that First American Financial will post 5.35 EPS for the current year.

First American Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were given a dividend of $0.54 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.24%. First American Financial's payout ratio is 172.80%.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Stephens increased their price target on shares of First American Financial from $73.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on First American Financial from $74.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th.

Insider Transactions at First American Financial

In other First American Financial news, CFO Mark Edward Seaton sold 12,679 shares of First American Financial stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.28, for a total transaction of $815,006.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 195,812 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,586,795.36. The trade was a 6.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Lisa W. Cornehl sold 3,057 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.49, for a total transaction of $200,202.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 23,825 shares in the company, valued at $1,560,299.25. The trade was a 11.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 127,707 shares of company stock worth $8,136,565 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 3.70% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of First American Financial

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of FAF. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in First American Financial by 66.9% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 524 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in shares of First American Financial by 57.6% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 670 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of First American Financial by 34.9% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,071 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $67,000 after acquiring an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in First American Financial in the third quarter valued at approximately $75,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its position in First American Financial by 14.8% during the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,340 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. 89.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

First American Financial Company Profile

First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Home Warranty segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services internationally.