Stocks

SmartFinancial (NASDAQ:SMBK) Stock Price Crosses Above Fifty Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Published March 8, 2025

SmartFinancial, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMBK) has recently experienced an interesting shift in its stock price, as it crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on a recent Friday. The stock, which has a 50-day moving average of $33.62, reached a high of $33.67 on that day. The last recorded trade for SmartFinancial shares was at $32.32, with a trading volume of 38,258 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have provided insights on the future prospects for SmartFinancial. Raymond James reaffirmed a "strong-buy" rating and increased their target price to $42.00 from a previous $36.00 in their report on January 23rd. Conversely, Stephens downgraded the stock from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating on December 9th. Currently, four investment analysts have issued hold ratings, while one analyst recommends the stock as a strong buy. According to data from MarketBeat.com, SmartFinancial has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $30.70.

SmartFinancial Stock Performance

In terms of performance, the firm's 50-day simple moving average stands at $33.62, compared to a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.43. SmartFinancial holds a market capitalization of $547.05 million, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.10 and a beta of 0.71. The company also has a current ratio and a quick ratio of 0.90, indicating its liquidity position, and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10.

SmartFinancial Dividend Announcement

Recently, SmartFinancial announced a quarterly dividend of $0.08, which was paid on February 18th to shareholders who were on record as of January 31st. The ex-dividend date for this payout was also January 31st. This translates to an annualized dividend of $0.32, yielding 0.99%. The company's payout ratio is reported at 14.95%, reflecting a sustainable dividend strategy.

Insider Activity

Recent insider trading activity includes a significant transaction by Director John M. Presley, who sold 6,916 shares on December 9th at an average price of $35.05. This sale amounted to $242,405.80 and reduced his ownership by 63.59%. Following this, he now holds 3,960 shares valued at approximately $138,798. Additionally, Chairman Wesley Miller Welborn bought 1,162 shares on February 3rd at an average price of $34.75, increasing his holdings by 1.21%, totaling 96,938 shares valued at about $3,368,595.50. Insiders hold around 7.68% of the company’s stock, providing a layer of oversight and confidence in the firm’s operations.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On SmartFinancial

Several prominent investors have recently adjusted their positions in SmartFinancial. Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. acquired a new stake valued at $124,000 in the fourth quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC also bought new shares worth approximately $277,000, while Two Sigma Advisers LP and Two Sigma Investments LP increased their holdings significantly. Notably, Millennium Management LLC raised its stake by an impressive 281.7%, now owning shares valued at about $1,867,000. Overall, hedge funds and institutional investors collectively own approximately 58.78% of the company's stock.

About SmartFinancial

SmartFinancial, Inc. acts as the bank holding company for SmartBank, providing diverse financial services to customers in Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. Its operations include Commercial Real Estate, Consumer Real Estate, Construction and Land Development, as well as Commercial and Industrial services.