Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Has $6.94 Million Stock Position in Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lowered its position in Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF) by 43.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 113,200 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 87,925 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned 0.26% of Heartland Financial USA worth $6,940,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Earnest Partners LLC increased its holdings in Heartland Financial USA by 2.1% in the second quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 2,657,168 shares of the bank’s stock worth $118,111,000 after purchasing an additional 54,030 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Heartland Financial USA by 8.3% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,384,697 shares of the bank’s stock worth $105,999,000 after acquiring an additional 182,245 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 3.8% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,456,428 shares of the bank’s stock worth $82,579,000 after purchasing an additional 53,755 shares during the period. Magnetar Financial LLC bought a new stake in Heartland Financial USA during the 2nd quarter valued at $46,626,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 4.9% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,023,370 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $58,036,000 after buying an additional 47,480 shares during the last quarter. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Heartland Financial USA Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:HTLF opened at $65.78 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.82 billion, a PE ratio of 36.75 and a beta of 0.98. Heartland Financial USA, Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.03 and a 1 year high of $70.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $64.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $58.18.

Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The bank reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.17. The business had revenue of $272.79 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $189.51 million. Heartland Financial USA had a net margin of 8.79% and a return on equity of 10.81%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.12 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Heartland Financial USA, Inc. will post 4.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Heartland Financial USA Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 14th. Heartland Financial USA’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.04%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Jennifer K. Hopkins sold 5,811 shares of Heartland Financial USA stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.56, for a total value of $392,591.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,963 shares in the company, valued at $470,420.28. This trade represents a 45.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Mark A. Frank sold 432 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.24, for a total transaction of $29,047.68. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,060 shares in the company, valued at $71,274.40. The trade was a 28.95 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 28,743 shares of company stock valued at $1,958,839 over the last ninety days. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Heartland Financial USA in a report on Friday, January 3rd. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Heartland Financial USA currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $45.60.

Heartland Financial USA Company Profile

Heartland Financial USA, Inc, a bank holding company, provides commercial, small business, and consumer banking services to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking, demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, savings, money market, and individual retirement; certificates of deposit; and other time deposits.