Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD - Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 154,230,000 shares, a decline of 24.7% from the February 13th total of 204,950,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 44,640,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days. Approximately 1.5% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Banco Bradesco Stock Performance

NYSE BBD traded down $0.03 during trading on Thursday, hitting $2.22. 35,634,900 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,659,557. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.38, a PEG ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 0.94. Banco Bradesco has a 12-month low of $1.84 and a 12-month high of $2.98. The business has a 50 day moving average of $2.05 and a 200-day moving average of $2.28.

Banco Bradesco (NYSE:BBD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 7th. The bank reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.09. Banco Bradesco had a net margin of 8.46% and a return on equity of 11.43%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Banco Bradesco will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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Banco Bradesco Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be issued a $0.0033 dividend. This is a positive change from Banco Bradesco's previous monthly dividend of $0.00. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.78%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. Banco Bradesco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.67%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on BBD shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Banco Bradesco from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, November 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Banco Bradesco from a "buy" rating to a "sell" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $2.40 to $2.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, HSBC raised shares of Banco Bradesco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $2.80 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, January 13th.

Institutional Trading of Banco Bradesco

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Banco Bradesco during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Traveka Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Bradesco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp grew its stake in Banco Bradesco by 54.5% during the fourth quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp now owns 17,012 shares of the bank's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 6,000 shares in the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC bought a new stake in Banco Bradesco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Banco Bradesco by 78.2% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 20,055 shares of the bank's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 8,801 shares in the last quarter.

About Banco Bradesco

Banco Bradesco SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, corporates, and businesses in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Banking and Insurance. It provides current, savings, click, and salary accounts; real estate credit, vehicle financing, payroll loans, mortgage loans, microcredit, leasing, and personal and installment credit; overdraft and agribusiness loans; debit and business cards; financial and security services; consortium products; car, personal accident, dental, travel, and life insurance; investment products; pension products; foreign currency exchange services; capitalization bonds; and internet banking services.