Short Interest in First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSFG) Grows By 115.3%

First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSFG) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 15,500 shares, a growth of 115.3% from the December 31st total of 7,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 18,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.8 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on FSFG shares. StockNews.com lowered First Savings Financial Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of First Savings Financial Group from $33.00 to $30.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday.

First Savings Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FSFG traded up $0.21 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $24.41. 5,150 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,834. The firm has a market capitalization of $168.64 million, a P/E ratio of 8.91 and a beta of 0.75. First Savings Financial Group has a one year low of $14.55 and a one year high of $30.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The company’s 50 day moving average is $27.03 and its 200 day moving average is $25.01.

First Savings Financial Group (NASDAQ:FSFG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The bank reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.68 by ($0.06). First Savings Financial Group had a return on equity of 8.86% and a net margin of 13.34%. On average, research analysts expect that First Savings Financial Group will post 2.65 EPS for the current year.

First Savings Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 16th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 16th. First Savings Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.90%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Savings Financial Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of First Savings Financial Group by 72.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,396 shares of the bank’s stock worth $81,000 after acquiring an additional 1,432 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in shares of First Savings Financial Group by 5.3% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 32,198 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $767,000 after acquiring an additional 1,608 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of First Savings Financial Group by 1.2% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 58,253 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,387,000 after purchasing an additional 690 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC grew its position in First Savings Financial Group by 166.0% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 68,421 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,629,000 after acquiring an additional 42,696 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fourthstone LLC increased its position in First Savings Financial Group by 166.2% during the 3rd quarter. Fourthstone LLC now owns 214,671 shares of the bank’s stock worth $5,111,000 after purchasing an additional 134,029 shares in the last quarter. 35.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

First Savings Financial Group Company Profile

First Savings Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for First Savings Bank that provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in southern Indiana. The company operates through three segments: Core Banking, SBA Lending, and Mortgage Banking. It accepts deposits, such as checking accounts, NOW and money market accounts, regular savings accounts, and time deposits.