Trexquant Investment LP Takes Position in Banco de Chile (NYSE:BCH)

Trexquant Investment LP bought a new stake in shares of Banco de Chile (NYSE:BCH - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 9,451 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $214,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its stake in Banco de Chile by 23.6% in the 4th quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 3,236,373 shares of the bank's stock worth $73,401,000 after purchasing an additional 618,891 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in shares of Banco de Chile by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 530,363 shares of the bank's stock worth $12,029,000 after buying an additional 7,749 shares in the last quarter. Truffle Hound Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco de Chile during the fourth quarter worth $4,536,000. Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new position in shares of Banco de Chile during the fourth quarter worth $4,033,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new position in Banco de Chile during the fourth quarter valued at $4,033,000. Institutional investors own 1.24% of the company's stock.

Banco de Chile Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BCH traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $28.02. 160,047 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 229,747. The company's 50 day moving average is $26.71 and its 200 day moving average is $24.69. Banco de Chile has a one year low of $21.76 and a one year high of $28.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92, a current ratio of 1.51 and a quick ratio of 1.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.15 billion, a PE ratio of 11.16, a P/E/G ratio of 6.08 and a beta of 0.31.

Banco de Chile Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st were given a dividend of $2.1037 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 21st. This represents a yield of 5.1%. Banco de Chile's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.55%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have commented on BCH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Banco de Chile from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. StockNews.com downgraded Banco de Chile from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th.

About Banco de Chile

Banco de Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking services to customers in Chile. The company offers checking and debit accounts, debit and credit cards, and lines of credit; mortgage, consume, commercial, general purpose mortgage loans, and finance leases; and factoring services, mutual fund management, stock brokerage, foreign trade, payments and collections, insurance brokerage, including life and general insurance, as well as time deposits, savings instruments, and foreign currency services through branches under the Banco de Chile and Banco Edwards brands.