Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABCGet Free Report) posted its earnings results on Thursday. The financial services provider reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.07, Zacks reports. Westamerica Bancorporation had a net margin of 42.08% and a return on equity of 12.26%.

Westamerica Bancorporation Stock Up 3.9%

WABC stock traded up $2.32 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $61.34. 87,776 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 189,041. Westamerica Bancorporation has a fifty-two week low of $44.93 and a fifty-two week high of $61.31. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $56.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.33. The stock has a market cap of $1.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.66 and a beta of 0.56.

Westamerica Bancorporation Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, May 4th were given a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 4th. This is a positive change from Westamerica Bancorporation’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Westamerica Bancorporation’s payout ratio is 42.76%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Westamerica Bancorporation from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Westamerica Bancorporation from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $58.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on Westamerica Bancorporation

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Westamerica Bancorporation news, SVP Robert James Baker, Jr. sold 759 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.83, for a total transaction of $40,856.97. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 5.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Westamerica Bancorporation

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in Westamerica Bancorporation by 6.8% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 18,531 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $938,000 after purchasing an additional 1,183 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,261 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $773,000 after acquiring an additional 642 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation in the 1st quarter valued at $99,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its holdings in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 9.0% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 64,051 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,243,000 after buying an additional 5,293 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in Westamerica Bancorporation by 815.8% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 67,469 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,416,000 after purchasing an additional 60,102 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.89% of the company’s stock.

About Westamerica Bancorporation

(Get Free Report)

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC) is a California-based bank holding company that provides a comprehensive suite of commercial banking, trust and wealth management services. Through its primary subsidiary, Westamerica Bank, the company offers deposit products, lending solutions and treasury management to a diverse clientele that includes small and mid-sized businesses, professionals, non-profit organizations and individuals.

The company’s lending portfolio encompasses commercial real estate financing, agricultural loans, equipment financing and lines of credit designed to support working capital needs.

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Earnings History for Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC)

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