Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE:MFG) Shares Gap Down - Should You Sell?

Shares of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG - Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $4.96, but opened at $4.32. Mizuho Financial Group shares last traded at $4.35, with a volume of 427,747 shares changing hands.

Mizuho Financial Group Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The company has a market cap of $60.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $5.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $4.99.

Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE:MFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 3rd. The bank reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.05. Mizuho Financial Group had a return on equity of 8.56% and a net margin of 7.85%. On average, equities analysts expect that Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mizuho Financial Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 54.7% during the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 23,558,714 shares of the bank's stock worth $115,201,000 after buying an additional 8,329,657 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Mizuho Financial Group by 18.0% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 16,121,663 shares of the bank's stock worth $78,835,000 after acquiring an additional 2,454,233 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Mizuho Financial Group by 86.1% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 9,743,983 shares of the bank's stock worth $47,648,000 after purchasing an additional 4,508,649 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC raised its position in Mizuho Financial Group by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 3,430,732 shares of the bank's stock valued at $16,776,000 after purchasing an additional 74,822 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its stake in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 48.5% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 3,038,291 shares of the bank's stock valued at $14,857,000 after purchasing an additional 992,900 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 3.26% of the company's stock.

Mizuho Financial Group Company Profile

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in banking, trust, securities, and other businesses related to financial services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Retail & Business Banking Company, Corporate & Institutional Company, Global Corporate Company, Global Markets Company, Asset Management Company, and Others segments.