Short Interest in Hingham Institution for Savings (NASDAQ:HIFS) Increases By 5.9%

Hingham Institution for Savings (NASDAQ:HIFS - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 159,200 shares, an increase of 5.9% from the January 15th total of 150,400 shares. Currently, 10.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 12,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 12.7 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised Hingham Institution for Savings from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday.

Hingham Institution for Savings Price Performance

HIFS traded down $9.61 on Friday, reaching $260.96. The stock had a trading volume of 13,459 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,978. Hingham Institution for Savings has a fifty-two week low of $160.00 and a fifty-two week high of $300.00. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $256.57 and a 200-day moving average of $256.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.63. The company has a market capitalization of $561.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.34 and a beta of 1.02.

Hingham Institution for Savings (NASDAQ:HIFS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 17th. The savings and loans company reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Hingham Institution for Savings had a return on equity of 2.95% and a net margin of 12.97%.

Hingham Institution for Savings Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 6th were paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, January 6th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. Hingham Institution for Savings's payout ratio is 19.64%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hingham Institution for Savings

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Copeland Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hingham Institution for Savings in the third quarter valued at about $61,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of Hingham Institution for Savings by 27.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 419 shares of the savings and loans company's stock valued at $102,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Hingham Institution for Savings by 941.3% in the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 479 shares of the savings and loans company's stock valued at $122,000 after buying an additional 433 shares during the period. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hingham Institution for Savings in the fourth quarter valued at about $204,000. Finally, Wallace Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hingham Institution for Savings in the third quarter valued at about $219,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.33% of the company's stock.

About Hingham Institution for Savings

Hingham Institution for Savings provides various financial products and services to individuals and small businesses in the United States. It offers savings, checking, money market, demand, and negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company provides commercial and residential real estate, construction, home equity, commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans.