Premier Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:PFC) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Premier Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:PFC - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 224,500 shares, a decline of 54.7% from the January 15th total of 495,100 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 176,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.3 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of Premier Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new stake in shares of Premier Financial in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Premier Financial by 804.8% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,131 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 1,006 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new position in Premier Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $106,000. Finally, KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in Premier Financial during the 4th quarter worth $174,000. 66.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Premier Financial Stock Down 0.1 %

Premier Financial stock traded down $0.02 during trading on Monday, reaching $29.16. 126,297 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 213,122. Premier Financial has a 52-week low of $18.63 and a 52-week high of $29.64. The firm has a market cap of $1.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.65 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.95. The company's 50-day moving average is $26.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $25.60.

Premier Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 31st were given a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 31st. Premier Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.31%.

About Premier Financial

Premier Financial Corp., through its subsidiaries, provides various banking services. It offers demand, checking, money market, and savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposits and certificates of deposit account registry service; and investment products. The company also provides residential and commercial real estate, commercial, construction, home improvement and home equity, installment, and consumer loans.