Principal Financial Group Inc. Trims Stock Position in Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE:BFS)

Principal Financial Group Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Saul Centers, Inc. (NYSE:BFS - Free Report) by 5.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 703,905 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock after selling 42,427 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 2.91% of Saul Centers worth $29,536,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in Saul Centers during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Whittier Trust Co. acquired a new position in Saul Centers in the 2nd quarter valued at $74,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in Saul Centers in the 2nd quarter valued at $102,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its holdings in Saul Centers by 235.4% in the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 3,223 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $119,000 after purchasing an additional 2,262 shares in the last quarter. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new stake in Saul Centers during the 3rd quarter worth $202,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.99% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Saul Centers from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th.

Saul Centers Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BFS traded up $0.19 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $38.75. The company had a trading volume of 19,882 shares, compared to its average volume of 51,758. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $40.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $39.39. The stock has a market cap of $936.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.06 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.61, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Saul Centers, Inc. has a twelve month low of $34.87 and a twelve month high of $42.39.

Saul Centers Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be issued a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 15th. Saul Centers's dividend payout ratio is currently 128.26%.

Saul Centers Profile

Saul Centers is a self-managed, self-administered equity REIT headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Saul Centers currently operates and manages a real estate portfolio comprised of 61 properties that includes (a) 57 community and neighborhood Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use properties with approximately 9.8 million square feet of leasable area and (b) four land and development properties.