Hawthorn Bancshares (NASDAQ:HWBK) Upgraded to Buy at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Hawthorn Bancshares (NASDAQ:HWBK) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report published on Tuesday morning.

Hawthorn Bancshares Stock Down 1.6 %

Hawthorn Bancshares stock opened at $27.78 on Tuesday. Hawthorn Bancshares has a one year low of $17.86 and a one year high of $35.95. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $30.84 and a 200 day moving average of $29.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.01. The stock has a market cap of $209.88 million, a PE ratio of 10.64 and a beta of 0.59.

Hawthorn Bancshares (NASDAQ:HWBK) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Hawthorn Bancshares had a return on equity of 13.00% and a net margin of 16.65%.

Hawthorn Bancshares Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, March 15th were given a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.74%. Hawthorn Bancshares’s payout ratio is presently 29.12%.

Insider Transactions at Hawthorn Bancshares

In other news, Director Jonathan Holtaway sold 6,604 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.97, for a total value of $217,733.88. Following the transaction, the director now owns 370,119 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,202,823.43. This trade represents a 1.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 23.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hawthorn Bancshares

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barclays PLC increased its stake in Hawthorn Bancshares by 44.1% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,059 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 73,532 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,085,000 after acquiring an additional 477 shares during the period. Alexander Labrunerie & CO. Inc. grew its position in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Alexander Labrunerie & CO. Inc. now owns 15,214 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $431,000 after purchasing an additional 625 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in Hawthorn Bancshares by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 14,834 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $421,000 after purchasing an additional 1,101 shares during the period. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Hawthorn Bancshares by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 28,496 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $808,000 after purchasing an additional 1,327 shares in the last quarter. 30.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hawthorn Bancshares Company Profile

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Hawthorn Bank that provides various banking services in the United States. It accepts checking, savings, money market, individual retirement, and other time deposit accounts, as well as 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.