Norwood Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:NWFL) Short Interest Down 61.6% in January

Norwood Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:NWFL) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 224,408 shares, a decline of 61.6% from the December 31st total of 584,575 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 46,163 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.9 days. Approximately 2.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Approximately 2.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 46,163 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.9 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Norwood Financial from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised Norwood Financial from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Norwood Financial in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $26.50.

Norwood Financial Stock Up 3.4%

NWFL stock traded up $1.00 during trading on Friday, hitting $30.43. 57,421 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 38,584. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $28.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $26.76. The stock has a market cap of $281.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.18 and a beta of 0.61. Norwood Financial has a 1 year low of $21.25 and a 1 year high of $30.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90.

Norwood Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a $0.32 dividend. This is a positive change from Norwood Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.2%. Norwood Financial’s payout ratio is presently 42.81%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Norwood Financial news, Director James Shook acquired 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $28.80 per share, for a total transaction of $100,800.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 8,330 shares in the company, valued at $239,904. This represents a 72.46% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Joseph W. Carroll acquired 4,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $28.13 per share, for a total transaction of $112,520.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 41,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,167,479.39. The trade was a 10.67% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders have acquired a total of 9,700 shares of company stock valued at $274,770 in the last ninety days. 9.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Norwood Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NWFL. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of Norwood Financial by 130.7% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,061 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 601 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Norwood Financial by 293.6% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,771 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,321 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in Norwood Financial by 144.5% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,100 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 1,241 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Norwood Financial by 68.9% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,138 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 872 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in Norwood Financial by 18.5% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 4,909 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $119,000 after purchasing an additional 765 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 28.08% of the company’s stock.

About Norwood Financial

Norwood Financial Corporation is the bank holding company for Norwood Bank, a community-oriented financial institution headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 2010, the company oversees a network of branch offices serving suburban and metropolitan communities in eastern Massachusetts. Norwood Financial’s mission emphasizes personalized service, local decision-making and a commitment to supporting neighborhood growth.

The company’s primary business activities encompass a full suite of personal and commercial banking products and services.