Joseph Stilwell, through various entities under his control, has recently increased his stake in Peoples Financial Corp (NASDAQ:PFBX), as indicated by the latest filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The transactions, which occurred on June 20, 2024, involved the purchase of 200 additional shares of common stock at a price of $16.09 per share, amounting to a total investment of $3,218.
The shares were acquired by Stilwell Value Partners VII, L.P., one of the investment vehicles managed by Joseph Stilwell, who holds a significant position in Peoples Financial Corp as a ten percent owner. The recent purchase is part of a series of transactions by entities associated with Stilwell, reflecting ongoing investment activity in the Mississippi-based state commercial bank.
The SEC filing also notes that Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P. and Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., both connected to Stilwell, hold sizable positions in the company's common stock. Stilwell, in his capacity as the managing member and owner of Stilwell Value LLC, which is the general partner of the aforementioned funds, disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.
The filings show a cooperative stance among the reporting persons, as they are jointly filing the statement as members of a Section 13(d) group that beneficially owns more than 10% of Peoples Financial Corp's common stock. This collective ownership and recent transaction underscore the group's active role in the company's investor landscape.
Investors and market watchers often scrutinize Form 4 filings to gauge insider sentiment and investment strategies within publicly traded companies. The reported acquisition by Stilwell's entities may be of interest to those following insider transactions and the financial performance of Peoples Financial Corp.
InvestingPro Insights
Peoples Financial Corp (NASDAQ:PFBX) has been the subject of recent investment activity by Joseph Stilwell, and a closer look at the company's financial metrics provides insight into this interest. With an adjusted market capitalization of $74.59M, the bank's valuation is modest, yet it showcases a strong P/E ratio of 8.33, indicating that the stock may be undervalued compared to earnings. This aligns with the InvestingPro Fair Value estimate of $16.01, closely mirroring the recent transaction price of $16.09 per share made by Stilwell's entities.
The company's financial health is further evidenced by a solid operating income margin of 33.79% for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, reflecting efficient management and profitable operations. Additionally, the dividend yield stands at an attractive 2.25%, coupled with a significant dividend growth rate of 80% during the same period, which could appeal to income-focused investors. InvestingPro Tips suggest that these factors, combined with a 41.05% one-year total return, may have contributed to Stilwell's continued investment in Peoples Financial Corp.
For those interested in further analysis and additional InvestingPro Tips, there are currently 15 more tips available on InvestingPro. These can provide deeper insights into Peoples Financial Corp's financials and help investors make informed decisions. To access these tips and more detailed metrics, consider subscribing to InvestingPro and use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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