Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Makes New Investment in Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS)

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new stake in Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 48,300 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,452,000.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Webster Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Webster Financial during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Webster Financial during the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 9,388.9% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 854 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 845 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Webster Financial during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors own 85.58% of the company's stock.

Webster Financial Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WBS traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $45.40. 650,148 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,135,130. Webster Financial Co. has a 52 week low of $31.03 and a 52 week high of $53.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.80 billion, a PE ratio of 9.28, a PEG ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.33. The company's 50 day moving average price is $48.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.25.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.48 by ($0.02). Webster Financial had a return on equity of 13.05% and a net margin of 22.01%. The company had revenue of $996.96 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $674.82 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.60 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Webster Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 5th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.52%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 2nd. Webster Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 32.72%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on WBS shares. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Webster Financial from $65.00 to $56.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Webster Financial from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $60.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Webster Financial from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Webster Financial from $51.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Webster Financial has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $57.85.

Insider Transactions at Webster Financial

In other news, COO Luis Massiani sold 13,500 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total transaction of $697,005.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 89,621 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,627,132.23. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Webster Financial news, COO Luis Massiani sold 13,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total value of $697,005.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 89,621 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,627,132.23. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Daniel Bley sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.60, for a total transaction of $95,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 27,955 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,330,658. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 29,941 shares of company stock valued at $1,545,582. 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.