West Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WTBA) Share Price Crosses Below 200 Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• West Bancorporation's stock price has dropped below its two hundred day moving average of $20.02, trading as low as $17.61 before settling at $17.91.
• Piper Sandler has lowered the price target for West Bancorporation from $21.50 to $20.50, assigning a "neutral" rating in their recent report.
• The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, resulting in an annualized yield of 5.6% for investors.

West Bancorporation, Inc. (NASDAQ:WTBA - Get Free Report) passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $20.02 and traded as low as $17.61. West Bancorporation shares last traded at $17.91, with a volume of 44,300 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of West Bancorporation from $21.50 to $20.50 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 28th.

West Bancorporation Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $313.07 million, a PE ratio of 10.87 and a beta of 0.92. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $19.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62.

West Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WTBA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $23.83 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.20 million. West Bancorporation had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 12.26%. On average, equities analysts forecast that West Bancorporation, Inc. will post 1.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

West Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 6th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.4%. West Bancorporation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 58.82%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On West Bancorporation

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WTBA. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in West Bancorporation by 68.9% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,618 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 660 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in West Bancorporation by 662.9% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,784 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $74,000 after acquiring an additional 3,288 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in West Bancorporation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $226,000. Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new stake in West Bancorporation in the second quarter valued at approximately $212,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in West Bancorporation by 5.1% in the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 11,171 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $223,000 after acquiring an additional 538 shares in the last quarter. 44.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

West Bancorporation Company Profile

West Bancorporation, Inc operates as the financial holding company provides community banking and trust services to individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses in the United States. It offers deposit services, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as time certificates of deposit.