Banco Santander (NYSE:SAN) Upgraded to "Buy" at StockNews.com

Banco Santander (NYSE:SAN - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report released on Thursday.

Separately, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Banco Santander from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th.

Banco Santander Stock Performance

Banco Santander stock traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $5.59. 4,449,689 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,560,802. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $4.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 2.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.83. Banco Santander has a one year low of $3.87 and a one year high of $5.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $88.39 billion, a PE ratio of 6.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.12.

Banco Santander (NYSE:SAN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The bank reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.21. Banco Santander had a net margin of 15.88% and a return on equity of 11.90%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Banco Santander will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Santander

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SAN. Atria Investments Inc increased its holdings in shares of Banco Santander by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 28,990 shares of the bank's stock worth $132,000 after buying an additional 1,917 shares during the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. raised its position in Banco Santander by 13.4% during the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 17,230 shares of the bank's stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 2,032 shares in the last quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Banco Santander by 14.3% during the fourth quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 17,220 shares of the bank's stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 2,148 shares during the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Banco Santander by 22.1% during the 2nd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 12,722 shares of the bank's stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 2,303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Banco Santander by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 50,013 shares of the bank's stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 2,320 shares during the last quarter. 9.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Banco Santander

Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services.