Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Increases Stock Position in HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) by 79.9% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 16,871 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 7,495 shares during the quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in HSBC were worth $835,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in HSBC during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in HSBC by 58.2% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 571 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in HSBC during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in HSBC by 138.5% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 775 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares during the period. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in HSBC during the 4th quarter worth approximately $49,000. 1.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

HSBC Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HSBC opened at $60.35 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $52.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $216.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.73, a PEG ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 0.54. HSBC Holdings plc has a one year low of $36.93 and a one year high of $61.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.96.

HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $11.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.79 billion. HSBC had a net margin of 16.17% and a return on equity of 12.20%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that HSBC Holdings plc will post 6.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

HSBC Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Friday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 7th. HSBC’s dividend payout ratio is currently 115.81%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on HSBC. StockNews.com lowered shares of HSBC from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of HSBC from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of HSBC in a report on Monday, February 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

About HSBC

HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking and wealth products, including current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services; and wealth management services comprising insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions.