Provident Financial Services (NYSE:PFS) Sets New 12-Month High Following Earnings Beat

Provident Financial Services, Inc (NYSE:PFS)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The company traded as high as $22.00 and last traded at $21.8080, with a volume of 259008 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $20.83.

The savings and loans company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $225.03 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $224.08 million. Provident Financial Services had a return on equity of 10.69% and a net margin of 21.06%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.37 EPS.

Provident Financial Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. Provident Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.05%.

Provident Financial Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Monday, January 26th that allows the company to buyback $2.81 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the savings and loans company to reacquire up to 0.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Provident Financial Services News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Provident Financial Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat and record profitability: PFS reported record Q4 and full‑year results with net income of $83.4M and EPS of $0.64, topping estimates and showing expanding margins — the core catalyst for the stock’s recent strength. Provident Financial Services Reports Record Q4 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend: Board declared a $0.24 quarterly cash dividend (payable Feb 27; ex-div Feb 13), implying a ~4.4% yield — supports income investors and adds near-term demand. Provident Financial Services, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Share buyback announced: Board approved a buyback program, which reduces float and signals management confidence — another supportive capital-return move. Stock Buyback Program Announced by Provident Financial Services (NYSE:PFS) Board of Directors
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade: Zacks upgraded PFS to a Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting improved earnings prospects; additional coverage notes (Stonegate) echoed the strong quarter and operating momentum. Provident Financial (PFS) Upgraded to Buy: Here’s What You Should Know Stonegate Capital Partners Updates Coverage on Provident Financial Services Inc (PFS) 2025 Q4
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation and momentum discussion: Recent price gains raised valuation talks and prompted pieces analyzing whether share price momentum is sustainable — useful context but not new company-specific catalysts. A Look At Provident Financial Services (PFS) Valuation After Its Recent Share Price Momentum
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call / transcript available: Management commentary and the Q&A can clarify guidance and loan/credit trends; review for details that could move sentiment next. Provident Financial Services Inc (PFS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Earnings and … Provident Financial Services, Inc. (PFS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term downside pressure possible: Shares are trading with elevated volume and sit close to their 52‑week high, which can trigger profit-taking or limit upside until new positive guidance or catalysts appear.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on PFS shares. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $25.00 price objective on Provident Financial Services in a report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Provident Financial Services in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on Provident Financial Services from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, DA Davidson downgraded shares of Provident Financial Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $23.70.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Provident Financial Services news, CEO George Lista sold 8,262 shares of Provident Financial Services stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.35, for a total value of $151,607.70. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 108,656 shares in the company, valued at $1,993,837.60. The trade was a 7.07% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 3.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Provident Financial Services

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFS. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in shares of Provident Financial Services in the third quarter worth $26,000. Key Capital Management INC acquired a new stake in shares of Provident Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Provident Financial Services by 358.0% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,548 shares of the savings and loans company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,210 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Provident Financial Services by 45.0% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,767 shares of the savings and loans company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 548 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Provident Financial Services by 633.8% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,040 shares of the savings and loans company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,762 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.97% of the company’s stock.

Provident Financial Services Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The company has a market cap of $2.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.96 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $20.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $19.42.

Provident Financial Services Company Profile

Provident Financial Services, Inc is the bank holding company for Provident Bank, a regional commercial bank headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey. The company operates a network of full-service branches across New Jersey, the New York metropolitan area and eastern Pennsylvania, offering a range of personal and business banking solutions.

Its core products and services include checking and savings accounts, consumer and residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate financing and small-business lending.