Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Sells 116,750 Shares of Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lessened its stake in Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC - Free Report) by 89.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,226 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 116,750 shares during the quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.'s holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation were worth $694,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WABC. Kimelman & Baird LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position 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 buying an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA acquired a new stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation in the 3rd quarter valued at $238,000. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 43.9% during the third 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 acquired a new position in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation during the second quarter valued at $332,000. 81.89% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Westamerica Bancorporation Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of Westamerica Bancorporation stock traded up $0.37 on Friday, hitting $51.81. 88,822 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 95,295. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $53.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $52.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.27 and a quick ratio of 0.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a PE ratio of 9.96 and a beta of 0.58. Westamerica Bancorporation has a one year low of $43.82 and a one year high of $59.97.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $1.19. Westamerica Bancorporation had a return on equity of 16.15% and a net margin of 44.55%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.48 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Westamerica Bancorporation will post 4.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Westamerica Bancorporation Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com raised Westamerica Bancorporation from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a 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.