Avantax Advisory Services Inc. Sells 4,162 Shares of Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. (NYSE:ITUB)

Avantax Advisory Services Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. (NYSE:ITUB) by 26.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 11,422 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 4,162 shares during the quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Itaú Unibanco were worth $57,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Itaú Unibanco in the fourth quarter worth $57,000. Quantinno Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Itaú Unibanco during the third quarter valued at $68,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. acquired a new position in shares of Itaú Unibanco in the 3rd quarter valued at $81,000. Fielder Capital Group LLC raised its stake in Itaú Unibanco by 13.2% in the 4th quarter. Fielder Capital Group LLC now owns 17,106 shares of the bank’s stock worth $85,000 after acquiring an additional 2,001 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Freedom Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Itaú Unibanco during the 3rd quarter worth about $90,000.

Itaú Unibanco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ITUB opened at $5.60 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $60.32 billion, a PE ratio of 7.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 1.34. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $5.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.31. Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. has a 1 year low of $4.42 and a 1 year high of $6.35.

Itaú Unibanco (NYSE:ITUB) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The bank reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.18 by ($0.01). Itaú Unibanco had a net margin of 12.25% and a return on equity of 19.46%. On average, research analysts predict that Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. will post 0.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Itaú Unibanco Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th were issued a dividend of $0.0527 per share. This is an increase from Itaú Unibanco’s previous dividend of $0.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 19th. Itaú Unibanco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 2.82%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ITUB shares. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Itaú Unibanco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. UBS Group raised shares of Itaú Unibanco from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, HSBC raised shares of Itaú Unibanco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $6.18 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, January 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $6.27.

Itaú Unibanco Profile

Itaú Unibanco Holding SA offers a range of financial products and services to individuals and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Activities with the Market + Corporation. It offers current account; loans; credit and debit cards; investment and commercial banking services; real estate lending services; financing and investment services; economic, financial and brokerage advisory; and leasing and foreign exchange services.