Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS) Downgraded by StockNews.com

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report issued on Monday.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Hovde Group decreased their price target on Peoples Financial Services from $48.00 to $43.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 6th. Stephens reduced their target price on Peoples Financial Services from $50.00 to $47.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 13th.

Peoples Financial Services Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ PFIS traded up $1.57 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $41.30. 20,969 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,014. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $38.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of $41.93. Peoples Financial Services has a 1-year low of $36.26 and a 1-year high of $49.99. The firm has a market cap of $291.58 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.67 and a beta of 0.50.

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter. Peoples Financial Services had a return on equity of 7.52% and a net margin of 13.81%. The firm had revenue of $22.72 million during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Peoples Financial Services will post 3.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Peoples Financial Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 87.7% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 3,400 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $147,000 after buying an additional 1,589 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,739 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $182,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new position in shares of Peoples Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth $281,000. Fidelity D & D Bancorp Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Peoples Financial Services during the 3rd quarter worth $333,000. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in Peoples Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth about $355,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.67% of the company's stock.

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.

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