Stieven Capital Advisors L.P. Has $11.41 Million Stake in Banner Corporation (NASDAQ:BANR)

Stieven Capital Advisors L.P. raised its holdings in Banner Corporation (NASDAQ:BANR - Free Report) by 11.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 178,956 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 18,800 shares during the period. Banner comprises approximately 2.2% of Stieven Capital Advisors L.P.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Stieven Capital Advisors L.P. owned approximately 0.52% of Banner worth $11,412,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in BANR. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Banner by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 738,356 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $49,300,000 after acquiring an additional 38,454 shares during the period. William Blair Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Banner by 10,213.3% during the 4th quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 634,579 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $42,371,000 after acquiring an additional 628,426 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in Banner by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 487,951 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $32,580,000 after acquiring an additional 70,544 shares during the period. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Banner by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 237,238 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $15,840,000 after acquiring an additional 4,716 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Banner by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 171,592 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $10,942,000 after acquiring an additional 4,503 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.33% of the company's stock.

Banner Price Performance

Shares of BANR stock traded down $2.69 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $66.71. The company's stock had a trading volume of 215,130 shares, compared to its average volume of 218,278. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $63.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $64.81. The company has a market capitalization of $2.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.11 and a beta of 0.89. Banner Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $51.14 and a fifty-two week high of $78.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

Banner (NASDAQ:BANR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $0.06. Banner had a return on equity of 9.95% and a net margin of 20.77%. The company had revenue of $159.88 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $159.72 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.22 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Banner Corporation will post 5.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Banner Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 29th were issued a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 29th. Banner's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Banner from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded Banner from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $71.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $73.00 price objective on shares of Banner in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Banner from $75.00 to $73.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $65.00 target price (down previously from $77.00) on shares of Banner in a report on Monday, April 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $70.83.

Banner Company Profile

Banner Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Banner Bank that engages in the provision of commercial banking and financial products and services to individuals, businesses, and public sector entities in the United States. It accepts various deposit instruments, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, regular savings accounts, and certificates of deposit, as well as treasury management services and retirement savings plans.