Norges Bank Makes New Investment in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA)

Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 330,000 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $3,208,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of BBVA. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its holdings 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 buying an additional 1,936 shares during the period. Avion Wealth acquired a new position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. Barclays PLC bought a new stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 20.7% in the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 5,420 shares of the bank's stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 930 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.96% of the company's stock.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Stock Up 0.3 %

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria stock traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $13.45. The stock had a trading volume of 310,417 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,875,957. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a 12 month low of $9.23 and a 12 month high of $14.84. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $13.29 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $11.24. The company has a market capitalization of $78.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.43, a PEG ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.00.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The bank reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.04. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 28.10% and a return on equity of 17.49%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be given a dividend of $0.4439 per share. This is a positive change from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.11. This represents a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.23%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on BBVA shares. Kepler Capital Markets upgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "reduce" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. StockNews.com upgraded Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res upgraded Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Profile

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.