Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Trims Holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lowered its stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) by 89.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 13,226 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 116,750 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.’s holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation were worth $694,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WABC. Kimelman & Baird LLC acquired a new position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation by 14.1% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,166 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA purchased a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $238,000. CWM LLC increased its holdings in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 43.9% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,250 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 1,601 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $332,000. 81.89% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Westamerica Bancorporation Trading Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ WABC opened at $51.81 on Friday. Westamerica Bancorporation has a 12 month low of $43.82 and a 12 month high of $59.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.96 and a beta of 0.58. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $53.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $52.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.27 and a quick ratio of 0.26.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.19. Westamerica Bancorporation had a net margin of 44.55% and a return on equity of 16.15%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.48 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Westamerica Bancorporation will post 4.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Westamerica Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 3rd will be paid a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 3rd. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.40%. Westamerica Bancorporation’s payout ratio is presently 33.85%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Westamerica Bancorporation from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th.

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.