American Century Companies Inc. Purchases 100,198 Shares of Premier Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:PFC)

American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Premier Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:PFC) by 18.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 656,177 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 100,198 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.’s holdings in Premier Financial were worth $13,425,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PFC. Quest Partners LLC grew its holdings in Premier Financial by 242.7% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 11,691 shares of the company’s stock worth $239,000 after purchasing an additional 8,280 shares during the period. Foundry Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Premier Financial by 8.2% in the second quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 188,435 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,855,000 after acquiring an additional 14,250 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System acquired a new stake in Premier Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $205,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Premier Financial by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 48,300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $988,000 after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in shares of Premier Financial by 1.9% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 58,144 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,190,000 after buying an additional 1,075 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.14% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Premier Financial

In related news, Director Donald P. Hileman sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.64, for a total transaction of $35,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 28,311 shares in the company, valued at $669,272.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Donald P. Hileman sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.64, for a total value of $35,460.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 28,311 shares in the company, valued at $669,272.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Dennis E. Rose, Jr. sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.01, for a total value of $50,020.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 38,114 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $953,231.14. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 2.22% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Janney Montgomery Scott restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Premier Financial in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $22.50.

Premier Financial Trading Down 4.0 %

Shares of Premier Financial stock opened at $24.09 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.46. Premier Financial Corp. has a 12-month low of $15.79 and a 12-month high of $26.40. The company has a market capitalization of $862.74 million, a P/E ratio of 7.77 and a beta of 1.26.

Premier Financial (NASDAQ:PFC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.51 by ($0.06). Premier Financial had a net margin of 18.07% and a return on equity of 8.19%. The firm had revenue of $110.55 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $63.20 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.68 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Premier Financial Corp. will post 1.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Premier Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.15%. Premier Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.00%.

About Premier Financial

Premier Financial Corp., through its subsidiaries, provides various banking services. It offers demand, checking, money market, and savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposits and certificates of deposit account registry service; and investment products. The company also provides residential and commercial real estate, commercial, construction, home improvement and home equity, installment, and consumer loans.