Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD) Shares Down 0.9% - Here's Why

Key Points

• Shares fell about 0.9% to $36.67 on Wednesday with light volume (3,128 shares, down 61% vs. average); the stock trades near its 50‑day/200‑day moving averages of $37.06 and $35.49, with a market cap of $158.8M and a PE of 19.5.
• Finward missed quarterly expectations, reporting EPS of $0.46 vs. $0.61 expected and revenue of $16.52M vs. $18.25M, with a net margin of 8.0% and ROE of 5.15%; analysts expect about $0.90 EPS for the year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 (annualized $0.48, yield 1.3%, payout ratio ~25.5%; ex‑dividend March 16), while consensus sentiment is a "Moderate Buy" with an average target price of $34.00 and mixed analyst ratings.

Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD - Get Free Report)'s stock price traded down 0.9% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $36.60 and last traded at $36.67. 3,128 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 61% from the average session volume of 8,064 shares. The stock had previously closed at $37.01.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Finward Bancorp in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Finward Bancorp has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $34.00.

Finward Bancorp Price Performance

The stock's 50-day moving average is $37.06 and its 200 day moving average is $35.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.78 million, a PE ratio of 19.51 and a beta of 0.33.

Finward Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNWD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.15). The company had revenue of $16.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.25 million. Finward Bancorp had a net margin of 8.00% and a return on equity of 5.15%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Finward Bancorp will post 0.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Finward Bancorp Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 16th will be given a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Finward Bancorp's dividend payout ratio is 25.53%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FNWD. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Finward Bancorp by 49.0% in the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 897 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 295 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Finward Bancorp by 98.9% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,291 shares of the company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 642 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Finward Bancorp during the third quarter worth approximately $43,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in shares of Finward Bancorp in the 2nd quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in shares of Finward Bancorp by 5,428.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,769 shares of the company's stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 1,737 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.59% of the company's stock.

Finward Bancorp Company Profile

Finward Bancorp NASDAQ: FNWD is the bank holding company for Finward Bank, a community-focused financial institution serving businesses and individuals across Pennsylvania and Delaware. Through a network of full-service branches and a robust digital banking platform, Finward Bank delivers a range of personal and commercial banking solutions designed to meet the needs of local customers.

The company's core offerings include deposit products such as checking accounts, savings accounts and time deposits, as well as a variety of lending solutions.

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