National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 755,420 shares, a decline of 26.6% from the January 29th total of 1,029,767 shares. Approximately 2.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 488,847 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 488,847 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days. Approximately 2.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

National Bank Stock Down 0.6%

NYSE NBHC opened at $40.44 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $40.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.93. National Bank has a one year low of $32.83 and a one year high of $42.99. The firm has a market cap of $1.53 billion, a PE ratio of 14.19 and a beta of 0.79.

National Bank (NYSE:NBHC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.27). National Bank had a return on equity of 8.65% and a net margin of 18.66%.The business had revenue of $99.08 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $107.48 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.86 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that National Bank will post 3.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Bank Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This is a boost from National Bank’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. National Bank’s dividend payout ratio is 44.91%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider John Steinmetz acquired 24,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $41.41 per share, for a total transaction of $1,002,122.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 536,504 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,216,630.64. The trade was a 4.72% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of National Bank

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd raised its position in shares of National Bank by 650.9% during the 3rd quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 796 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 690 shares during the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of National Bank during the fourth quarter worth about $48,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in National Bank during the 4th quarter worth approximately $66,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in National Bank in the 4th quarter valued at $69,000. Finally, Quarry LP boosted its stake in shares of National Bank by 50.8% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,819 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $70,000 after buying an additional 613 shares during the last quarter. 92.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Zacks Research upgraded National Bank from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of National Bank in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Wall Street Zen lowered National Bank from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. DA Davidson reissued a “buy” rating and set a $48.00 target price on shares of National Bank in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Stephens raised National Bank from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $42.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $45.25.

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.