Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 123,900 shares, an increase of 163.6% from the February 29th total of 47,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 18,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.9 days.

Hawthorn Bancshares Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ:HWBK traded down $0.14 during trading on Thursday, hitting $20.36. 702 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,359. The firm has a market cap of $142.93 million, a P/E ratio of 154.78 and a beta of 0.47. Hawthorn Bancshares has a 1-year low of $15.02 and a 1-year high of $26.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $22.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.84.

Hawthorn Bancshares (NASDAQ:HWBK) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported ($1.05) EPS for the quarter. Hawthorn Bancshares had a return on equity of 0.75% and a net margin of 0.96%. The business had revenue of $18.00 million for the quarter.

Hawthorn Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Hawthorn Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 516.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised Hawthorn Bancshares from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday.

Insider Transactions at Hawthorn Bancshares

In related news, Director Douglas Todd Eden purchased 7,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $22.32 per share, with a total value of $156,240.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 80,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,785,600. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Hawthorn Bancshares news, Director Douglas Todd Eden bought 7,000 shares of Hawthorn Bancshares stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $22.32 per share, with a total value of $156,240.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 80,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,785,600. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jonathan L. States bought 1,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $21.57 per share, with a total value of $25,884.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 3,255 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $70,210.35. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have acquired 20,400 shares of company stock valued at $426,846. 12.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hawthorn Bancshares

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HWBK. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD acquired a new stake in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares during the fourth quarter worth $209,000. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in Hawthorn Bancshares by 174.6% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,032 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 1,292 shares during the period. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC raised its position in Hawthorn Bancshares by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 83,165 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,110,000 after purchasing an additional 1,920 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 1,356.4% during the fourth quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,874 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 3,608 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares during the fourth quarter worth $285,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 30.73% of the company’s stock.

About Hawthorn Bancshares

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Hawthorn Bank that provides commercial and personal banking services. It accepts checking, savings, money market, individual retirement, and other time deposit accounts; and certificates of deposit. The company also offers commercial and industrial, single payment personal, installment, commercial and residential real estate, and consumer loans, as well as equipment, operating, and small business administration loans; and debit and credit cards.