Waterstone Financial (NASDAQ:WSBF) Stock Price Breaks Below Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Waterstone Financial shares fell below their 200-day moving average of $19.69, reaching $19.43 before last trading at $20.07.
• The company missed quarterly expectations, reporting EPS of $0.49 versus the $0.66 consensus and revenue of $40.25 million compared with estimates of $65.80 million. Despite one analyst downgrade to “hold,” the overall consensus rating remains “Buy.”
• Waterstone declared a quarterly dividend of $0.17, equivalent to an annualized $0.68 payout and a 3.4% yield; institutional investors own 62.71% of the company.

Shares of Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:WSBF - Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $19.69 and traded as low as $19.43. Waterstone Financial shares last traded at $20.07, with a volume of 38,528 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on WSBF shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Waterstone Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Waterstone Financial in a research report on Wednesday, August 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Waterstone Financial presently has a consensus rating of "Buy".

Waterstone Financial Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $360.86 million, a P/E ratio of 11.67 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $20.55 and a 200-day moving average of $19.69.

Waterstone Financial (NASDAQ:WSBF - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The savings and loans company reported $0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $40.25 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $65.80 million. Waterstone Financial had a net margin of 14.57% and a return on equity of 8.64%.

Waterstone Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 8th will be given a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 8th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Waterstone Financial's payout ratio is presently 39.53%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Waterstone Financial

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Waterstone Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,034,000. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Waterstone Financial in the second quarter worth approximately $3,412,000. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in shares of Waterstone Financial in the second quarter valued at about $2,390,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of Waterstone Financial during the second quarter worth $1,877,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC purchased a new position in Waterstone Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,023,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.71% of the company's stock.

About Waterstone Financial

Waterstone Financial, Inc is a savings and loan holding company headquartered in Wisconsin. Its principal subsidiary, WaterStone Bank, is a community bank that provides banking and lending services to individuals, families, businesses and real estate investors.

WaterStone Bank offers deposit products such as checking, savings, money market and certificate accounts, along with residential mortgage loans, home equity financing, commercial real estate loans, business loans and consumer lending.

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