Short Interest in National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC) Declines By 19.8%

National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC) saw a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 540,774 shares, a decline of 19.8% from the December 15th total of 674,113 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 331,215 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 331,215 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days.

National Bank Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NBHC traded up $0.01 on Monday, reaching $40.81. 648,758 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 343,879. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.54 billion, a PE ratio of 12.91 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The company’s 50 day moving average is $38.50 and its 200-day moving average is $38.34. National Bank has a fifty-two week low of $32.83 and a fifty-two week high of $44.84.

National Bank (NYSE:NBHC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The financial services provider reported $0.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $108.89 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $107.56 million. National Bank had a return on equity of 9.56% and a net margin of 20.50%.National Bank’s revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.86 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that National Bank will post 3.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Bank Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. This is a positive change from National Bank’s previous quarterly dividend of ($0.30). National Bank’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.24%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on NBHC shares. Stephens upgraded shares of National Bank from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $42.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of National Bank in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded National Bank from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $44.50.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NBHC. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd increased its stake in National Bank by 650.9% in the 3rd quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 796 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 690 shares during the period. Quarry LP increased its stake in shares of National Bank by 50.8% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,819 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 613 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of National Bank by 17.9% during the fourth quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,283 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $125,000 after acquiring an additional 499 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in National Bank by 131.3% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,395 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 1,927 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC purchased a new position in National Bank in the third quarter valued at about $211,000. 92.65% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About National Bank

National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) is a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Through its network of community bank subsidiaries, the company provides deposit, lending and payment solutions to consumer, small business and commercial clients across multiple U.S. markets.

Since its founding in 1992, National Bank Holdings has pursued a growth strategy focused on acquiring and integrating locally branded community banks. Its footprint spans the Midwest and Southern United States, including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Tennessee.