Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS) Holdings Boosted by Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS - Free Report) by 13.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,363,237 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 157,973 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned about 0.79% of Webster Financial worth $69,198,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Webster Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Webster Financial in the second quarter worth about $32,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 9,388.9% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 854 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 845 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Webster Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. increased its position in Webster Financial by 305.8% during the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 905 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 682 shares in the last quarter. 85.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Webster Financial Stock Down 3.5 %

Webster Financial stock traded down $1.72 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $46.89. The stock had a trading volume of 2,375,134 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,139,642. Webster Financial Co. has a fifty-two week low of $31.03 and a fifty-two week high of $53.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.05 billion, a PE ratio of 9.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.33. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $48.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $46.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.48 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $996.96 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $674.82 million. Webster Financial had a return on equity of 13.05% and a net margin of 22.01%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.60 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Webster Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 5th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 2nd. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.41%. Webster Financial's dividend payout ratio is presently 32.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WBS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Bank of America began coverage on Webster Financial in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com cut shares of Webster Financial from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, April 5th. Raymond James reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $60.00 price objective on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Tuesday, March 26th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Webster Financial in a research report on Friday, March 8th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $70.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Webster Financial from $51.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Webster Financial has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $57.85.

Insider Activity

In other Webster Financial news, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 3,966 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.56, for a total transaction of $204,486.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 49,528 shares in the company, valued at $2,553,663.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 3,966 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.56, for a total transaction of $204,486.96. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 49,528 shares in the company, valued at $2,553,663.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Daniel Bley sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.60, for a total value of $95,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 27,955 shares in the company, valued at $1,330,658. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 29,941 shares of company stock valued at $1,545,582 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.72% of the company's stock.

Webster Financial Profile

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.