Short Interest in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) Declines By 11.1%

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,840,000 shares, a decline of 11.1% from the October 15th total of 2,070,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,350,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Royal Bank of Canada raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria to a "moderate buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Citigroup raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the second quarter worth approximately $40,000. Barclays PLC purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the third quarter worth approximately $41,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the second quarter worth approximately $43,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. grew its stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 67.8% in the second quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 4,924 shares of the bank's stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 1,990 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 48.2% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,788 shares of the bank's stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 1,882 shares in the last quarter. 2.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Stock Up 2.9 %

NYSE BBVA traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $9.82. 2,634,789 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,636,006. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $10.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.32. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has a 52 week low of $8.63 and a 52 week high of $12.20. The stock has a market cap of $57.33 billion, a PE ratio of 5.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.31.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 9th were paid a dividend of $0.3244 per share. This is a boost from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.11. This represents a yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 9th. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's payout ratio is presently 29.31%.

About Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and internationally. The company offers savings account, demand deposits, and time deposits; and loan products, such as residential mortgages, other households, credit card loans, loans to enterprises and public sector, as well as consumer finance.