Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Acquires 11,674 Shares of Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC)

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC - Free Report) by 23.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 61,990 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 11,674 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned about 0.23% of Westamerica Bancorporation worth $3,064,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WABC. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation by 0.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,512,538 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $171,693,000 after acquiring an additional 19,654 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Westamerica Bancorporation by 11.7% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,904,399 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $92,421,000 after purchasing an additional 199,721 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Westamerica Bancorporation by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 861,398 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $41,801,000 after purchasing an additional 41,841 shares during the last quarter. Leeward Investments LLC MA increased its stake in Westamerica Bancorporation by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. Leeward Investments LLC MA now owns 170,773 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $8,288,000 after purchasing an additional 9,099 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. raised its holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation by 10.6% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 134,324 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $6,519,000 after buying an additional 12,888 shares during the last quarter. 81.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Westamerica Bancorporation Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WABC traded down $0.66 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $57.57. 73,762 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 129,550. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a current ratio of 0.26. Westamerica Bancorporation has a one year low of $43.82 and a one year high of $59.97. The company has a market cap of $1.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.50 and a beta of 0.54. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $52.07 and a 200 day moving average of $50.60.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $1.27. The firm had revenue of $74.07 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $72.74 million. Westamerica Bancorporation had a net margin of 45.73% and a return on equity of 17.67%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Westamerica Bancorporation will post 5.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Westamerica Bancorporation Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 4th were paid a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 4th. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.06%. Westamerica Bancorporation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.06%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Westamerica Bancorporation from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th.

About Westamerica Bancorporation

Westamerica Bancorporation operates as a bank holding company for the Westamerica Bank that provides various banking products and services to individual and commercial customers. The company accepts various deposit products, including retail savings and checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.