American Century Companies Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ:COLB)

American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ:COLB - Free Report) by 0.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,602,571 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 61,242 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. owned approximately 3.63% of Columbia Banking System worth $205,345,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of COLB. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Columbia Banking System by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 43,184 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,128,000 after acquiring an additional 464 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in Columbia Banking System by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 60,758 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,641,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Columbia Banking System by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 39,256 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,025,000 after acquiring an additional 544 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Columbia Banking System by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 31,238 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $844,000 after buying an additional 612 shares during the period. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Columbia Banking System by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 49,684 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,342,000 after acquiring an additional 621 shares in the last quarter. 92.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Columbia Banking System Trading Down 1.2 %

COLB traded down $0.31 during trading on Thursday, hitting $25.32. 975,348 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,751,582. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.97 and a beta of 0.62. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $26.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $27.48. Columbia Banking System, Inc. has a 12-month low of $17.08 and a 12-month high of $32.85.

Columbia Banking System (NASDAQ:COLB - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.06. Columbia Banking System had a net margin of 17.99% and a return on equity of 11.21%. On average, equities analysts expect that Columbia Banking System, Inc. will post 2.71 EPS for the current year.

Columbia Banking System Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.69%. Columbia Banking System's payout ratio is currently 56.69%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on COLB shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Columbia Banking System from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $33.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Stephens dropped their target price on Columbia Banking System from $33.00 to $31.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Columbia Banking System from $31.00 to $30.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 27th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Columbia Banking System in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $32.00 target price for the company. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Columbia Banking System from $34.00 to $33.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 24th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Columbia Banking System has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $31.25.

Insider Buying and Selling at Columbia Banking System

In related news, VP Torran B. Nixon sold 4,481 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.99, for a total value of $116,461.19. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 104,869 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,725,545.31. This trade represents a 4.10 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.62% of the company's stock.

About Columbia Banking System

Columbia Banking System, Inc operates as the holding company of Umpqua Bank that provides banking, private banking, mortgage, and other financial services in the United States. The company offers deposit products, including business, non-interest bearing checking, interest-bearing checking and savings, money market, and certificate of deposit accounts; and insured cash sweep and other investment sweep solutions.