First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSFG) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSFG) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 11,600 shares, a growth of 46.8% from the August 31st total of 7,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 8,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.3 days.

First Savings Financial Group Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of FSFG stock traded up $0.05 during trading on Friday, reaching $23.90. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 9,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,627. First Savings Financial Group has a one year low of $13.20 and a one year high of $24.50. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $22.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.79. The company has a market cap of $164.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.13 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83.

First Savings Financial Group (NASDAQ:FSFG) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The bank reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $17.73 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.60 million. First Savings Financial Group had a return on equity of 8.63% and a net margin of 6.90%. Analysts anticipate that First Savings Financial Group will post 1.75 earnings per share for the current year.

First Savings Financial Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.51%. First Savings Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 55.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com started coverage on First Savings Financial Group in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price target on First Savings Financial Group from $20.00 to $26.50 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Hovde Group initiated coverage on shares of First Savings Financial Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. They set a “market perform” rating and a $24.00 price objective on the stock.

Institutional Trading of First Savings Financial Group

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in First Savings Financial Group stock. Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in shares of First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSFG) by 8.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,930 shares of the bank’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,209 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC owned approximately 0.44% of First Savings Financial Group worth $501,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 35.22% of the company’s stock.

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.