Short Interest in Franklin Financial Services Co. (NASDAQ:FRAF) Rises By 28.3%

Franklin Financial Services Co. (NASDAQ:FRAF) was the target of a large increase in short interest in November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,800 shares, an increase of 28.3% from the October 31st total of 5,300 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 4,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days.

Franklin Financial Services Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FRAF traded up $0.17 on Monday, hitting $33.72. 1,040 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,328. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $31.67 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.11. Franklin Financial Services has a one year low of $25.11 and a one year high of $33.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $148.91 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.64 and a beta of 0.30.

Franklin Financial Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 1st were given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 1st. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.80%. Franklin Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.38%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Allan E. Jennings, Jr. purchased 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $30.51 per share, with a total value of $30,510.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 28,250 shares in the company, valued at $861,907.50. This represents a 3.67 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders have purchased a total of 1,134 shares of company stock worth $34,606 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 6.93% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Franklin Financial Services

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of FRAF. Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in Franklin Financial Services during the third quarter worth $32,000. Fourthstone LLC lifted its position in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Fourthstone LLC now owns 440,745 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,280,000 after buying an additional 1,507 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in Franklin Financial Services by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 31,672 shares of the company’s stock valued at $954,000 after buying an additional 1,608 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. acquired a new position in Franklin Financial Services during the second quarter worth $58,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Franklin Financial Services by 25.0% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 16,506 shares of the company’s stock valued at $467,000 after purchasing an additional 3,306 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 24.80% of the company’s stock.

Franklin Financial Services Company Profile

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.