The First of Long Island Co. (NASDAQ:FLIC) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

The First of Long Island Co. (NASDAQ:FLIC) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 135,200 shares, an increase of 42.8% from the February 28th total of 94,700 shares. Currently, 0.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 90,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of First of Long Island in a research report on Friday. They set a “hold” rating on the stock.

First of Long Island Trading Down 1.8 %

FLIC traded down $0.22 during trading on Friday, reaching $12.29. 39,983 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 108,288. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $12.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $278.18 million, a PE ratio of 16.39 and a beta of 0.75. First of Long Island has a fifty-two week low of $9.30 and a fifty-two week high of $15.03.

First of Long Island (NASDAQ:FLIC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The bank reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.24 by ($0.10). First of Long Island had a return on equity of 4.74% and a net margin of 9.52%.

First of Long Island Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, March 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 24th. First of Long Island’s payout ratio is 112.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First of Long Island

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of FLIC. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in shares of First of Long Island by 73.1% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 57,758 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $743,000 after buying an additional 24,399 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its stake in First of Long Island by 3.4% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 505,758 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $6,509,000 after acquiring an additional 16,456 shares during the period. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of First of Long Island by 124.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,522 shares of the bank’s stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 1,950 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First of Long Island during the fourth quarter worth about $165,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new stake in shares of First of Long Island during the third quarter worth about $5,407,000. Institutional investors own 48.33% of the company’s stock.

First of Long Island Company Profile

The First of Long Island Corporation operates as the holding company for The First National Bank of Long Island that provides financial services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, consumers, municipalities, and other organizations. The company offers business and small business checking, personal checking, negotiable order of withdrawal, interest on lawyer, escrow service, rent security, personal and nonpersonal money market, savings, time deposit, and individual retirement accounts.