Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New $5.97 Million Investment in Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new stake in Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 71,498 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $5,973,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned about 0.06% of Western Alliance Bancorporation as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WAL. Point72 Europe London LLP boosted its stake in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 6.6% during the fourth quarter. Point72 Europe London LLP now owns 90,643 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $7,572,000 after buying an additional 5,643 shares during the period. Nicholas Investment Partners LP boosted its position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation by 12.7% during the 4th quarter. Nicholas Investment Partners LP now owns 174,582 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $14,585,000 after purchasing an additional 19,639 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth increased its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 99,080 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $8,277,000 after purchasing an additional 4,909 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its position in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 9.3% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 96,839 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $8,090,000 after purchasing an additional 8,201 shares during the period. Finally, Norden Group LLC acquired a new position in Western Alliance Bancorporation during the fourth quarter worth $727,000. 79.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on WAL. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Western Alliance Bancorporation in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $95.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $95.00 to $80.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. DA Davidson decreased their price target on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $106.00 to $90.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $92.00 price target on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Western Alliance Bancorporation from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $97.77.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Stock Down 1.4%

WAL stock traded down $1.01 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $72.21. 423,855 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,224,604. The company has a market cap of $7.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.85. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a 1-year low of $56.70 and a 1-year high of $98.10. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $70.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $80.71.

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 21st. The financial services provider reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.01. Western Alliance Bancorporation had a net margin of 15.49% and a return on equity of 13.14%. The firm had revenue of $790.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $792.25 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.72 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Western Alliance Bancorporation will post 9.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.10%. Western Alliance Bancorporation's dividend payout ratio is presently 20.85%.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Company Profile

Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services.