Symmetry Investments LP Takes Position in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA)

Symmetry Investments LP purchased a new position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 2,844,297 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $27,647,000. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria comprises about 1.4% of Symmetry Investments LP's holdings, making the stock its 10th largest holding.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of BBVA. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its holdings in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 120.7% during the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 3,540 shares of the bank's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,936 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 96.7% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 3,616 shares of the bank's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,778 shares during the period. Barclays PLC bought a new stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the third quarter valued at about $41,000. Avion Wealth acquired a new position in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the fourth quarter worth about $49,000. 2.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Trading Up 2.8 %

NYSE BBVA opened at $13.76 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.27. The stock's 50-day moving average is $13.42 and its 200-day moving average is $11.35. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a one year low of $9.23 and a one year high of $14.84. The firm has a market cap of $80.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.00.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The bank reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.04. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 28.10% and a return on equity of 17.49%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.4439 per share. This represents a yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. This is a boost from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.11. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's dividend payout ratio is 39.23%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BBVA has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "reduce" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

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.

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