Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS) Price Target Raised to $53.00 at Hovde Group

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by stock analysts at Hovde Group from $48.00 to $53.00 in a research report issued on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has a "market perform" rating on the financial services provider's stock. Hovde Group's price objective would suggest a potential upside of 1.34% from the company's previous close.

Separately, StockNews.com raised Peoples Financial Services from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday.

Peoples Financial Services Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:PFIS traded up $2.31 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $52.30. The company's stock had a trading volume of 72,177 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,311. The stock has a market capitalization of $521.95 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.78 and a beta of 0.50. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $46.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $44.12. Peoples Financial Services has a fifty-two week low of $36.26 and a fifty-two week high of $55.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92.

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.56. The company had revenue of $74.01 million for the quarter. Peoples Financial Services had a return on equity of 8.50% and a net margin of 3.00%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Peoples Financial Services will post 3.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Peoples Financial Services

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in Peoples Financial Services by 7.8% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 26,612 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,147,000 after purchasing an additional 1,925 shares in the last quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Peoples Financial Services by 413.0% in the 3rd quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 38,632 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,811,000 after purchasing an additional 31,102 shares during the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd raised its position in Peoples Financial Services by 46.7% in the 1st quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 10,707 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $460,000 after purchasing an additional 3,409 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in Peoples Financial Services by 87.7% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 3,400 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $147,000 after purchasing an additional 1,589 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in Peoples Financial Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $149,000. 31.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Peoples Financial Services Company Profile

Peoples Financial Services Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company that provides various commercial and retail banking services. The company accepts money market, negotiable order of withdrawal, savings, individual retirement, demand deposit, and certificates of deposit accounts.