Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESQ) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESQ) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 550,205 shares, a decline of 17.0% from the January 15th total of 662,717 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 128,808 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.3 days. Approximately 7.8% of the company’s shares are sold short. Approximately 7.8% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 128,808 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.3 days.

Esquire Financial Stock Performance

NASDAQ:ESQ traded up $0.81 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $111.23. 16,934 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 84,436. The stock has a market capitalization of $953.24 million, a PE ratio of 18.92 and a beta of 0.46. Esquire Financial has a 12-month low of $68.90 and a 12-month high of $134.82. The business has a 50-day moving average of $107.79 and a two-hundred day moving average of $102.34.

Esquire Financial (NASDAQ:ESQ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.56 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $39.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.93 million. Esquire Financial had a return on equity of 18.72% and a net margin of 30.90%. Research analysts anticipate that Esquire Financial will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Esquire Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This is a boost from Esquire Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. Esquire Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 13.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ESQ has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b+)” rating on shares of Esquire Financial in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Esquire Financial from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Esquire Financial from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Esquire Financial from $113.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $118.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Esquire Financial

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Esquire Financial in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $504,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Esquire Financial by 3.6% in the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 7,866 shares of the company’s stock worth $803,000 after buying an additional 271 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of Esquire Financial by 467.4% during the fourth quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 13,090 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,336,000 after buying an additional 10,783 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of Esquire Financial by 9.4% during the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,084 shares of the company’s stock valued at $417,000 after buying an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Esquire Financial by 8.7% during the fourth quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 7,138 shares of the company’s stock valued at $729,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.66% of the company’s stock.

About Esquire Financial

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiary, Esquire Bank, specializes in residential mortgage lending and community banking services. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company operates through multiple distribution channels, including retail branches, wholesale and correspondent lending divisions. Esquire Financial focuses on tailored home financing solutions while maintaining a community-oriented approach to banking.

In its mortgage lending business, Esquire Bank originates and services a range of home loan products, including government-insured mortgages (FHA, VA and USDA) as well as conventional conforming and jumbo loans.