Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS) Downgraded by StockNews.com to “Hold”

Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Friday.

Separately, B. Riley initiated coverage on Saul Centers in a research note on Thursday, April 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $43.50 target price for the company.

Saul Centers Trading Up 2.5 %

Saul Centers stock traded up $0.90 during trading on Friday, hitting $36.35. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 53,609 shares, compared to its average volume of 55,072. The stock has a market capitalization of $871.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.01 and a beta of 1.08. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $37.14 and its 200 day moving average is $37.31. Saul Centers has a 1-year low of $32.13 and a 1-year high of $41.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.34, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13.

Insider Activity at Saul Centers

In other Saul Centers news, Director James Page Lansdale sold 5,502 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.89, for a total transaction of $208,470.78. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,298 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $49,181.22. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Saul Centers news, Director James Page Lansdale sold 5,502 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.89, for a total transaction of $208,470.78. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,298 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $49,181.22. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO David Todd Pearson purchased 2,300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $36.52 per share, with a total value of $83,996.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 6,204 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $226,570.08. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 56.57% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Saul Centers

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BFS. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Saul Centers in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in shares of Saul Centers by 65.1% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 898 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 354 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of Saul Centers by 43.9% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,197 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 365 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management purchased a new stake in shares of Saul Centers in the third quarter worth about $99,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Saul Centers in the second quarter worth about $136,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.99% of the company’s stock.

Saul Centers Company Profile

Saul Centers is a self-managed, self-administered equity REIT headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Saul Centers currently operates and manages a real estate portfolio comprised of 61 properties that includes (a) 57 community and neighborhood Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use properties with approximately 9.8 million square feet of leasable area and (b) four land and development properties.