First Trust Advisors LP Makes New Investment in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA)

First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 249,393 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $2,424,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its position in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 120.7% during the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 3,540 shares of the bank's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,936 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 96.7% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 3,616 shares of the bank's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 1,778 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC bought a new stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the third quarter worth $41,000. Avion Wealth bought a new position in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the fourth quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Institutional investors own 2.96% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Hsbc Global Res raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets upgraded Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "reduce" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Trading Up 0.3 %

BBVA traded up $0.04 on Friday, reaching $14.47. 951,720 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,803,367. The company has a market cap of $84.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.67. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a one year low of $9.23 and a one year high of $14.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The bank reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.47. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 28.10% and a return on equity of 17.49%. The firm had revenue of $10.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.12 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th were issued a dividend of $0.4439 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 4.3%. This is a positive change from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.11. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 9th. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's payout ratio is 39.15%.

About Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and internationally. The company offers savings account, demand deposits, and time deposits; and loan products, such as residential mortgages, other households, credit card loans, loans to enterprises and public sector, as well as consumer finance.