Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 280,700 shares, an increase of 21.7% from the February 28th total of 230,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 139,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days. Approximately 1.1% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Westamerica Bancorporation Trading Down 1.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:WABC opened at $49.71 on Wednesday. Westamerica Bancorporation has a 1 year low of $45.11 and a 1 year high of $59.97. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $50.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion, a PE ratio of 9.56 and a beta of 0.55.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.19. Westamerica Bancorporation had a return on equity of 16.15% and a net margin of 44.55%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.48 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Westamerica Bancorporation will post 4.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Westamerica Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 3rd were given a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 3rd. Westamerica Bancorporation’s dividend payout ratio is 33.85%.

Institutional Trading of Westamerica Bancorporation

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. acquired a new position in Westamerica Bancorporation in the 4th quarter valued at $684,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Westamerica Bancorporation during the fourth quarter valued at about $643,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 7.7% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 58,758 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,082,000 after purchasing an additional 4,206 shares during the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 89.3% in the fourth quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 16,401 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $860,000 after purchasing an additional 7,739 shares during the period. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC acquired a new position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation during the 4th quarter worth about $240,000. 81.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Westamerica Bancorporation

Westamerica Bancorporation operates as a bank holding company for the Westamerica Bank that provides various banking products and services to individual and commercial customers. The company accepts various deposit products, including retail savings and checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.