Middlefield Banc Corp. (NASDAQ:MBCN) Shares Acquired by Empowered Funds LLC

Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in Middlefield Banc Corp. (NASDAQ:MBCN) by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,536 shares of the bank’s stock after acquiring an additional 804 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC owned 0.20% of Middlefield Banc worth $476,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MBCN. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in Middlefield Banc by 48.9% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 3,668 shares of the bank’s stock worth $88,000 after acquiring an additional 1,204 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Middlefield Banc by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 386,196 shares of the bank’s stock worth $9,222,000 after purchasing an additional 3,782 shares during the period. Finally, YHB Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Middlefield Banc during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $225,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.72% of the company’s stock.

Middlefield Banc Stock Performance

NASDAQ MBCN opened at $31.72 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $255.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.02 and a beta of 0.69. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $29.23 and a 200 day moving average of $25.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. Middlefield Banc Corp. has a twelve month low of $20.61 and a twelve month high of $37.00.

Middlefield Banc (NASDAQ:MBCN) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The bank reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.47 by ($0.18). Middlefield Banc had a return on equity of 6.86% and a net margin of 13.31%. The business had revenue of $16.82 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.10 million. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Middlefield Banc Corp. will post 1.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Middlefield Banc Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 29th will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.52%. Middlefield Banc’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Middlefield Banc from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th.

Middlefield Banc Profile

Middlefield Banc Corp. operates as the bank holding company for The Middlefield Banking Company that provides various commercial banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, small business owners, and retail customers in northeastern and central Ohio. It offers checking, savings, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, time certificates of deposit, commercial loans, real estate loans, various consumer loans, safe deposit facilities, and travelers' checks.