Short Interest in Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESQ) Declines By 17.0%

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESQ) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 550,205 shares, a decline of 17.0% from the January 15th total of 662,717 shares. Currently, 7.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 128,808 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 128,808 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.3 days. Currently, 7.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Esquire Financial Stock Up 2.3%

Shares of ESQ stock traded up $2.47 on Monday, reaching $108.93. The company had a trading volume of 63,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 101,083. The business’s 50-day moving average is $107.57 and its 200 day moving average is $102.12. Esquire Financial has a one year low of $68.90 and a one year high of $134.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $933.53 million, a PE ratio of 18.53 and a beta of 0.46.

Esquire Financial (NASDAQ:ESQ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.56 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $39.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.93 million. Esquire Financial had a return on equity of 18.72% and a net margin of 30.90%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Esquire Financial will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Esquire Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Esquire Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. Esquire Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 13.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on Esquire Financial from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Esquire Financial from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Esquire Financial from $113.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b+)” rating on shares of Esquire Financial in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $118.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Esquire Financial

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Comerica Bank raised its position in Esquire Financial by 8.5% in the fourth quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 1,399 shares of the company’s stock valued at $143,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in Esquire Financial by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 4,178 shares of the company’s stock valued at $315,000 after buying an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Esquire Financial by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 10,270 shares of the company’s stock worth $972,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in Esquire Financial by 64.3% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock worth $70,000 after buying an additional 270 shares during the period. Finally, Gator Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Esquire Financial by 0.3% during the third quarter. Gator Capital Management LLC now owns 93,356 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,527,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.66% of the company’s stock.

About Esquire Financial

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiary, Esquire Bank, specializes in residential mortgage lending and community banking services. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company operates through multiple distribution channels, including retail branches, wholesale and correspondent lending divisions. Esquire Financial focuses on tailored home financing solutions while maintaining a community-oriented approach to banking.

In its mortgage lending business, Esquire Bank originates and services a range of home loan products, including government-insured mortgages (FHA, VA and USDA) as well as conventional conforming and jumbo loans.