GAMMA Investing LLC Boosts Holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC)

GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) by 14.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,166 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 268 shares during the quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation were worth $114,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kimelman & Baird LLC acquired a new position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation in the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Glenmede Trust Co. NA purchased a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $238,000. Choreo LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $256,000. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 43.9% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,250 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $259,000 after acquiring an additional 1,601 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $332,000. 81.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Westamerica Bancorporation Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NASDAQ:WABC opened at $50.96 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Westamerica Bancorporation has a fifty-two week low of $43.82 and a fifty-two week high of $59.97. The stock has a market cap of $1.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.28 and a beta of 0.58. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $54.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.98.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.27. The company had revenue of $74.07 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $72.74 million. Westamerica Bancorporation had a return on equity of 17.67% and a net margin of 45.73%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Westamerica Bancorporation will post 5.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Westamerica Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 4th were given a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 4th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.45%. Westamerica Bancorporation’s dividend payout ratio is presently 32.06%.

Westamerica Bancorporation Company Profile

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.