Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC Increases Stock Position in Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC)

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC – Get Rating) by 76.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 76,061 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 33,017 shares during the quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC owned about 0.28% of Westamerica Bancorporation worth $3,977,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WABC. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 0.8% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,964,255 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $239,837,000 after buying an additional 32,468 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Westamerica Bancorporation by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,138,143 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $189,858,000 after acquiring an additional 28,152 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in Westamerica Bancorporation by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,151,491 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $69,665,000 after acquiring an additional 72,066 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 690,556 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $36,109,000 after purchasing an additional 7,605 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of Westamerica Bancorporation by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 481,515 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,802,000 after purchasing an additional 4,567 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.65% of the company’s stock.

Westamerica Bancorporation Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of Westamerica Bancorporation stock opened at $55.35 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $1.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.22 and a beta of 0.64. Westamerica Bancorporation has a 52-week low of $52.04 and a 52-week high of $63.86. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $56.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $57.40.

Westamerica Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 6th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.04%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 3rd. Westamerica Bancorporation’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.09%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Westamerica Bancorporation from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday.

Westamerica Bancorporation Profile

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Westamerica Bancorporation operates as a bank holding company. It provides range of banking services to individual and corporate customers in Northern and Central California. It offers loans and lines of credit, online services, mobile banking, checking, savings, credit cards, cash management, overdraft services, merchant services, professional banking, bank owned property, preventing business loans, payroll services, and trust services.