Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESQ) Shares Acquired by Geode Capital Management LLC

Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESQ) by 2.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 185,901 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,642 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 2.23% of Esquire Financial worth $14,783,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ESQ. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Esquire Financial in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,407,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Esquire Financial by 5.8% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 387,730 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,825,000 after acquiring an additional 21,266 shares during the period. Ampfield Management L.P. increased its stake in Esquire Financial by 10.9% during the fourth quarter. Ampfield Management L.P. now owns 251,633 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,005,000 after acquiring an additional 24,773 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Esquire Financial by 16.8% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 166,915 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,270,000 after purchasing an additional 23,998 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Esquire Financial by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 144,344 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,413,000 after purchasing an additional 11,345 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.66% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Raymond James downgraded Esquire Financial from a “strong-buy” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $85.00 price target (up from $80.00) on shares of Esquire Financial in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Esquire Financial from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 27th.

Esquire Financial Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of NASDAQ ESQ opened at $80.56 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $679.28 million, a PE ratio of 15.61 and a beta of 0.52. Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. has a twelve month low of $44.55 and a twelve month high of $90.18. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $76.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $76.29.

Esquire Financial (NASDAQ:ESQ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by ($0.01). Esquire Financial had a return on equity of 19.93% and a net margin of 31.58%. On average, equities analysts predict that Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Esquire Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th were given a $0.175 dividend. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. This is a boost from Esquire Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Esquire Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 13.57%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Richard T. Powers sold 1,427 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.99, for a total value of $124,134.73. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 58,997 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,132,149.03. This trade represents a 2.36 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Selig Zises sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.59, for a total transaction of $1,551,800.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 35,501 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,754,522.59. The trade was a 36.04 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 18.90% of the company’s stock.

Esquire Financial Company Profile

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Esquire Bank, National Association that provides commercial banking products and services to legal industry and small businesses, and commercial and retail customers in the United States. The company offers checking, savings, money market, and time deposits, as well as certificates of deposit.