Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) SVP Sells $37,174.65 in Stock

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) SVP Robert James Baker, Jr. sold 705 shares of Westamerica Bancorporation stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.73, for a total transaction of $37,174.65. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 244 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,866.12. This represents a 74.29 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Westamerica Bancorporation Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ WABC traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $51.76. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 94,310 shares, compared to its average volume of 113,139. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $53.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $52.30. 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 has a 1 year low of $43.82 and a 1 year high of $59.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.95 and a beta of 0.58.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.19. Westamerica Bancorporation had a net margin of 44.55% and a return on equity of 16.15%. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.48 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Westamerica Bancorporation will post 4.35 EPS for the current year.

Westamerica Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors 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 yield of 3.40%. Westamerica Bancorporation’s dividend payout ratio is currently 33.85%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WABC. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in Westamerica Bancorporation in the second quarter worth approximately $541,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new position in Westamerica Bancorporation in the second quarter worth approximately $669,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $726,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 261.7% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 8,841 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $437,000 after buying an additional 6,397 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC lifted its position 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.89% of the company’s stock.

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.