Nilsine Partners LLC Boosts Stake in East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC)

Nilsine Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC) by 23.8% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 11,958 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,299 shares during the quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC’s holdings in East West Bancorp were worth $1,145,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of EWBC. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in East West Bancorp during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the third quarter worth $26,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp by 362.8% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 361 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the last quarter. Tobam increased its stake in East West Bancorp by 131.7% in the 3rd quarter. Tobam now owns 482 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 274 shares during the period. Finally, Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in East West Bancorp during the 3rd quarter valued at about $79,000. Institutional investors own 89.53% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at East West Bancorp

In related news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 12,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.61, for a total value of $1,279,320.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,403 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,840,413.83. This represents a 20.90 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Jack C. Liu sold 725 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.50, for a total value of $75,762.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 15,832 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,654,444. This trade represents a 4.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 13,194 shares of company stock worth $1,401,063. Insiders own 1.04% of the company’s stock.

East West Bancorp Stock Performance

Shares of EWBC opened at $103.02 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm has a market cap of $14.28 billion, a PE ratio of 13.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.30. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 12 month low of $67.27 and a 12 month high of $113.95. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $101.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $91.70.

East West Bancorp Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 3rd will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 3rd. This is an increase from East West Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.81%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on EWBC shares. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of East West Bancorp from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Wedbush upped their target price on East West Bancorp from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Stephens lowered East West Bancorp from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of East West Bancorp from $93.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Compass Point boosted their price target on shares of East West Bancorp from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $110.38.

East West Bancorp Company Profile

East West Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for East West Bank that provides a range of personal and commercial banking services to businesses and individuals in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer and Business Banking, Commercial Banking, and Other.