Fourthstone LLC Increases Position in Franklin Financial Services Co. (NASDAQ:FRAF)

Fourthstone LLC raised its position in shares of Franklin Financial Services Co. (NASDAQ:FRAF) by 0.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 441,298 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 553 shares during the period. Franklin Financial Services comprises about 2.6% of Fourthstone LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Fourthstone LLC owned about 0.10% of Franklin Financial Services worth $13,195,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Barclays PLC purchased a new position in Franklin Financial Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Franklin Financial Services during the fourth quarter worth about $65,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 31.3% during the fourth quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 8,926 shares of the company’s stock worth $267,000 after purchasing an additional 2,127 shares in the last quarter. PL Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Franklin Financial Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $385,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 32,272 shares of the company’s stock valued at $965,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. 24.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Franklin Financial Services Price Performance

Franklin Financial Services stock opened at $35.47 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. Franklin Financial Services Co. has a 52-week low of $25.90 and a 52-week high of $38.41. The firm has a market cap of $157.49 million, a PE ratio of 14.24 and a beta of 0.18. The company’s 50 day moving average is $36.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.44.

Franklin Financial Services (NASDAQ:FRAF) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The company reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Franklin Financial Services had a return on equity of 7.91% and a net margin of 9.64%.

Franklin Financial Services Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 2nd will be paid a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 2nd. This is a boost from Franklin Financial Services’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Franklin Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.41%.

Insider Transactions at Franklin Financial Services

In other news, Director Gregory A. Duffey acquired 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $33.90 per share, with a total value of $101,700.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 23,782 shares in the company, valued at approximately $806,209.80. This trade represents a 14.44 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, President Craig W. Best bought 6,756 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $37.00 per share, for a total transaction of $249,972.00. Following the acquisition, the president now directly owns 15,606 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $577,422. The trade was a 76.34 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders purchased 9,785 shares of company stock valued at $352,751. 6.93% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Franklin Financial Services

Franklin Financial Services Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg that provides commercial, retail banking, and trust services to businesses, individuals, governmental entities, and non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania. It offers various deposit products, including checking, savings, money management, and time deposit accounts, as well as demand deposits.