Gator Capital Management LLC Decreases Holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL)

Gator Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL - Free Report) by 31.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 70,470 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 31,830 shares during the period. Western Alliance Bancorporation makes up 2.2% of Gator Capital Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Gator Capital Management LLC owned 0.06% of Western Alliance Bancorporation worth $5,887,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 56.0% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 326 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation by 70.1% during the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 330 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation by 115.6% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 401 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the period. Finally, Atala Financial Inc bought a new stake in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in the fourth quarter worth about $44,000. 79.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation Stock Down 2.2 %

Western Alliance Bancorporation stock traded down $1.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $61.84. The stock had a trading volume of 694,047 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,209,508. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $79.44 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $84.70. The company has a market capitalization of $6.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.69, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.29. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a one year low of $53.75 and a one year high of $98.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.03. Western Alliance Bancorporation had a net margin of 15.49% and a return on equity of 13.14%. On average, analysts expect that Western Alliance Bancorporation will post 9.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th were given a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.46%. Western Alliance Bancorporation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on WAL. Barclays lowered their price target on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $107.00 to $97.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. DA Davidson cut their price target on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $110.00 to $106.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $103.00 price objective on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $95.00 to $80.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $115.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $96.40.

About Western Alliance Bancorporation

Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services.