Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 64,511 shares, a growth of 37.0% from the December 15th total of 47,083 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 61,385 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Currently, 1.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Currently, 1.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 61,385 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Franklin Financial Services in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Franklin Financial Services currently has an average rating of “Buy”.

Franklin Financial Services Stock Performance

Franklin Financial Services stock traded down $0.81 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $53.15. 67,635 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 67,902. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $51.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $46.76. Franklin Financial Services has a fifty-two week low of $32.39 and a fifty-two week high of $59.95. The firm has a market cap of $238.11 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.19 and a beta of -0.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20.

Franklin Financial Services (NASDAQ:FRAF) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $23.22 million for the quarter. Franklin Financial Services had a return on equity of 10.11% and a net margin of 12.34%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Kimberly Rzomp sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.07, for a total value of $81,105.00. Following the sale, the director owned 5,842 shares in the company, valued at approximately $315,876.94. This represents a 20.43% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 6.93% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Financial Services in the first quarter valued at about $133,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Financial Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $571,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 33,474 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,187,000 after purchasing an additional 1,202 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Franklin Financial Services in the first quarter valued at $529,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Franklin Financial Services by 109.8% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 98,224 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,401,000 after purchasing an additional 51,407 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 24.80% of the company’s stock.

Franklin Financial Services Company Profile

Franklin Financial Services, Inc (NASDAQ: FRAF) is a U.S.‐listed specialty finance company that makes and acquires secured loans, with a focus on asset-based lending and mortgage warehouse financing. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, FFS Investment Company, a Maryland corporation regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Franklin Financial provides revolving lines of credit, term loans and other credit facilities secured primarily by residential and commercial mortgage loans, receivables and inventory.