Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Boosts Stake in Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC - Free Report) by 5.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 689,624 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 35,509 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 3.64% of Community West Bancshares worth $13,358,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Spire Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Community West Bancshares during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its stake in Community West Bancshares by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 23,890 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $463,000 after acquiring an additional 1,598 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Community West Bancshares by 3.5% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 48,419 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $938,000 after purchasing an additional 1,623 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its stake in Community West Bancshares by 15.4% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 16,175 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $313,000 after purchasing an additional 2,164 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Community West Bancshares by 12.8% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 21,387 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $414,000 after buying an additional 2,430 shares during the last quarter. 33.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Community West Bancshares Stock Down 0.0%

Community West Bancshares stock traded down $0.00 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $18.44. 3,347 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 52,566. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.82. The company has a market cap of $351.41 million, a PE ratio of 35.62 and a beta of 0.76. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $17.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $18.94. Community West Bancshares has a 12 month low of $15.57 and a 12 month high of $22.89.

Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 21st. The financial services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.47 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $34.79 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $35.05 million. Community West Bancshares had a net margin of 4.59% and a return on equity of 7.90%. As a group, analysts expect that Community West Bancshares will post 2.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Community West Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 2nd will be given a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 2nd. Community West Bancshares's payout ratio is 73.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Community West Bancshares news, Director Robert Bartlein purchased 2,001 shares of Community West Bancshares stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 28th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $17.19 per share, with a total value of $34,397.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 440,877 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,578,675.63. This trade represents a 0.46% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO James J. Kim acquired 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $17.36 per share, with a total value of $27,776.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,044,690.08. This represents a 2.73% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 8,806 shares of company stock worth $156,205 in the last three months. 10.57% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on CWBC. StockNews.com raised shares of Community West Bancshares from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Community West Bancshares from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Community West Bancshares from $22.00 to $19.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their target price on Community West Bancshares from $26.00 to $24.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 27th.

Community West Bancshares Company Profile

Community West Bancshares operates as the bank holding company for Community West Bank, N.A. that provides various financial products and services in California. The company offers deposit products, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and fixed rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposits; and cash management products.