Community Financial System (NYSE:CBU) Share Price Crosses Above 200-Day Moving Average – Time to Sell?

Community Financial System, Inc. (NYSE:CBU) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $59.40 and traded as high as $60.09. Community Financial System shares last traded at $60.0110, with a volume of 135,241 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on CBU shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Community Financial System from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 21st. Janney Montgomery Scott cut shares of Community Financial System from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Community Financial System from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, DA Davidson assumed coverage on shares of Community Financial System in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $72.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $66.67.

Community Financial System Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.23 billion, a PE ratio of 15.48 and a beta of 0.77. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $61.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $59.41.

Community Financial System (NYSE:CBU) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The bank reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $215.56 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $212.85 million. Community Financial System had a return on equity of 11.09% and a net margin of 20.82%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.94 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Community Financial System, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Community Financial System Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be issued a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. Community Financial System’s payout ratio is 47.36%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Eric Stickels sold 2,000 shares of Community Financial System stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.75, for a total value of $129,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 33,342 shares in the company, valued at $2,158,894.50. The trade was a 5.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director John F. Whipple sold 4,246 shares of Community Financial System stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.17, for a total transaction of $276,711.82. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 8,506 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $554,336.02. This represents a 33.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.01% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Community Financial System

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Community Financial System by 17.0% in the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 114,362 shares of the bank’s stock worth $6,706,000 after acquiring an additional 16,581 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Community Financial System by 2,430.6% in the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 168,892 shares of the bank’s stock worth $9,701,000 after acquiring an additional 162,218 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Community Financial System by 14.4% in the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 206,169 shares of the bank’s stock worth $12,090,000 after acquiring an additional 26,002 shares during the period. Numerai GP LLC bought a new stake in shares of Community Financial System in the third quarter worth approximately $4,117,000. Finally, Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. grew its stake in shares of Community Financial System by 692.8% in the third quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 47,787 shares of the bank’s stock worth $2,802,000 after acquiring an additional 41,759 shares during the period. 73.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Community Financial System

Community Financial System (NYSE: CBU) is the bank holding company for Community Bank, National Association, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in DeWitt, New York. Through its principal subsidiary, the company offers a range of banking and financial services designed to meet the needs of both consumer and business clients. Its organizational structure centers on community-based banking operations supported by centralized technology, risk management and administrative functions.

The company’s product offerings include deposit accounts, residential and commercial mortgage loans, commercial and consumer lending, treasury and cash management services, and electronic banking.