Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 81,851 shares, a growth of 33.9% from the February 12th total of 61,136 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 68,835 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.2 days. Currently, 1.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 1.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 68,835 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.2 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on SFST shares. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on Southern First Bancshares from $54.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Southern First Bancshares in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Southern First Bancshares from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Southern First Bancshares from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $64.00.

Southern First Bancshares Stock Performance

Shares of SFST stock opened at $51.70 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $55.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $50.31. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $425.49 million, a PE ratio of 13.82 and a beta of 0.75. Southern First Bancshares has a 52-week low of $29.14 and a 52-week high of $62.00.

Southern First Bancshares (NASDAQ:SFST) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The bank reported $1.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.10. Southern First Bancshares had a return on equity of 8.63% and a net margin of 13.52%.The company had revenue of $1.69 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.90 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.70 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Southern First Bancshares will post 1.85 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Southern First Bancshares

In related news, insider Silvia T. King sold 2,625 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.49, for a total value of $158,786.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 3,963 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $239,721.87. This represents a 39.85% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 7.06% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southern First Bancshares

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. increased its stake in Southern First Bancshares by 40.2% in the 4th quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 666 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 191 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Southern First Bancshares in the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in shares of Southern First Bancshares by 28.7% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,380 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Southern First Bancshares by 154.0% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,633 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 990 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Southern First Bancshares during the second quarter worth about $75,000. 75.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Southern First Bancshares Company Profile

Southern First Bancshares is the bank holding company for Southern First Bank, a community-oriented financial institution headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, the company delivers a full spectrum of commercial and consumer banking services designed to meet the needs of small and midsize businesses, professionals, and individual customers. Southern First Bancshares operates under a relationship-driven model, emphasizing personalized service and local decision–making.

The company’s core offerings include deposit products such as checking, savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit, alongside an array of lending solutions covering commercial real estate, construction, equipment financing and small business administration (SBA) loans.