Peoples Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:PFIS – Get a rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, April 29, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 31 will receive a dividend of 0.39 per share from the financial services provider on Wednesday, June 15. This represents an annualized dividend of $1.56 and a dividend yield of 3.05%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 27.

Peoples Financial Services has increased its dividend by an average of 4.6% per year over the past three years and has increased its dividend every year for the past 6 years. Peoples Financial Services has a dividend payout ratio of 26.1%, which means its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equity research analysts expect Peoples Financial Services to earn $5.60 per share next year, meaning the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.56 annual dividend. with an expected future payout ratio of 27.9%.

Peoples Financial Services stock traded down $0.05 at midday Wednesday, hitting $51.16. The stock had a trading volume of 7,300 shares, compared to an average volume of 12,292. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt ratio of 0.11 . The stock has a market capitalization of $366.92 million, a P/E ratio of 8.46 and a beta of 0.21. Peoples Financial Services has a 12-month low of $41.65 and a 12-month high of $55.00. The company has a fifty-day moving average price of $49.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $49.76.

Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ: PFIS – Get a rating) last reported quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 26. The financial services provider reported earnings per share of $1.33 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.25. Peoples Financial Services achieved a return on equity of 10.38% and a net margin of 36.18%. On average, stock analysts expect Peoples Financial Services to post EPS of 4.54 for the current fiscal year.

Several equity analysts have recently commented on PFIS shares. Stephens began covering Peoples Financial Services in a report on Monday, March 28. They set an “overweight” rating and a target price of $57.00 for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Peoples Financial Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 20.

Separately, director Elisa Z. Ramirez purchased 1,030 shares of the company in a trade on Tuesday, March 8. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $48.62 per share, for a total transaction of $50,078.60. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available via the SEC website. Company insiders own 3.30% of the company’s shares.

Major investors have recently changed their positions in the company. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA increased its stake in Peoples Financial Services by 100.1% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,769 shares of the financial services provider valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 885 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. increased its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 119.1% in the fourth quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,759 shares of the financial services provider worth $93,000 after acquiring 956 additional shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 6.1% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 4,271 shares of the financial services provider worth $195,000 after acquiring 245 more shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Peoples Financial Services by 57.0% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 3,977 shares of the financial services provider worth $201,000 after acquiring 1,444 additional shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein LP acquired a new position in shares of Peoples Financial Services in the fourth quarter worth $211,000. Institutional investors hold 29.28% of the company’s shares.

Peoples Financial Services Company Profile (Get a rating)

Peoples Financial Services Corp. operates as a bank holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company which provides various commercial and retail banking services. The company accepts Money Market, NOW, Savings, Individual Retirement, Demand Deposits and Certificates of Deposit Accounts. It also offers residential real estate, auto, prefab, personal, and home equity loans; and commercial real estate, working capital, construction, small business administration and agricultural loans, as well as loans for equipment and other business needs, and mineral rights.

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