AQR Capital Management LLC Lowers Stock Position in Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF)

AQR Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF) by 76.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 71,545 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 227,935 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC owned 0.17% of Heartland Financial USA worth $3,180,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of HTLF. Clarity Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA in the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Heartland Financial USA in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $83,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Heartland Financial USA by 695.2% in the 1st quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,807 shares of the bank’s stock worth $99,000 after acquiring an additional 2,454 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Heartland Financial USA in the 1st quarter worth approximately $167,000. Finally, First Affirmative Financial Network purchased a new stake in Heartland Financial USA in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $209,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.55% of the company’s stock.

Heartland Financial USA Stock Performance

NASDAQ HTLF opened at $56.17 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $54.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $46.27. Heartland Financial USA, Inc. has a twelve month low of $26.44 and a twelve month high of $59.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The stock has a market cap of $2.41 billion, a PE ratio of 33.84 and a beta of 0.95.

Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLF) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The bank reported $1.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $188.92 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $183.19 million. Heartland Financial USA had a return on equity of 11.11% and a net margin of 7.12%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.09 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Heartland Financial USA, Inc. will post 4.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Heartland Financial USA Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 13th were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 13th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.14%. Heartland Financial USA’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 72.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Heartland Financial USA in a report on Monday. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Heartland Financial USA presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $45.60.

Insider Buying and Selling at Heartland Financial USA

In other news, EVP Lo B. Nestman sold 4,389 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.14, for a total value of $220,064.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 1.80% of the company’s stock.

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.