HARLEYSVILLE SAVINGS BANK NEWS

Harleysville Financial stock sees 63% short interest decline, but remains a niche play

HARL opened recently near $25.51 per share, close to its 52-week high of $25.54, with a 52-week low around $21.75

HARL opened recently near $25.51 per share, close to its 52-week high of $25.54, with a 52-week low around $21.75

  • Business

Harleysville Financial Corp., the holding company for Harleysville Bank, saw a significant drop in short interest in December 2025, with the number of shares sold short falling more than 60%, leaving effectively no shares currently shorted. 

That suggests traders are not positioning heavily against the stock at this time, according to MarketBeat.com.

HARL opened recently near $25.51 per share, close to its 52-week high of $25.54, with a 52-week low around $21.75, according to TradingView.The company’s market capitalization sits near $90–95 million, with a price-to-earnings ratio below 10 and a beta near zero, reflecting low stock volatility relative to broader markets, per the report.

Financially, the bank reports solid fundamentals for a small community lender, according to Barron's. Recent annual data shows net income and a net profit margin above 20% with strong loan growth, and quarterly earnings remain positive. 

Harleysville also pays a notable dividend with a current yield above 5%, appealing to income-oriented investors.

On longer-term fundamentals, research metrics indicate earnings have grown at a modest pace historically, with revenue and net income growing in recent years, per SimplyWallSt.com. However, earnings growth more broadly has lagged the wider banking industry, and the company is covered by no Wall Street analysts with published forward estimates, which can make future guidance and research visibility limited for mainstream investors.

Should investors buy HARL now? There is no single answer, but here are the key factors:

Pros
• Low short interest may signal less bearish positioning.
• Attractive dividend yield relative to peers.
• Steady community banking fundamentals and low volatility.

Cons
• OTC-traded stocks like HARL can be less liquid and harder to trade than major exchange stocks.
• Lack of broad analyst coverage means fewer professional forecasts and less research guidance.
• Growth is modest compared with larger banks, and assets are concentrated regionally.

Bottom line: HARL might appeal to investors seeking income via dividends and low-volatility exposure to a small community bank. It is not a high-growth stock, and prospective investors should be aware of liquidity limits and limited research coverage. 

As with any investment, thorough due diligence — including reviewing the company’s latest quarterly earnings and consulting a financial adviser — is recommended before making a buy decision.


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