Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LARK) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LARK) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 46,300 shares, a growth of 89.0% from the February 13th total of 24,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.6 days. Currently, 1.1% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Landmark Bancorp in a research note on Friday. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock.

Landmark Bancorp Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of LARK stock traded up $0.35 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $24.72. 5,890 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,400. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $24.16 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $22.67. Landmark Bancorp has a 1-year low of $17.05 and a 1-year high of $26.75. The company has a market cap of $142.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.91 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81.

Landmark Bancorp (NASDAQ:LARK) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter. Landmark Bancorp had a return on equity of 10.51% and a net margin of 14.51%.

Landmark Bancorp Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th were paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.40%. This is a positive change from Landmark Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 19th. Landmark Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Patrick L. Alexander sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.53, for a total value of $490,600.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 80,285 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,969,391.05. This trade represents a 19.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Michael E. Scheopner sold 3,097 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.31, for a total value of $78,385.07. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 131,269 shares in the company, valued at $3,322,418.39. This trade represents a 2.30 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 17.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Landmark Bancorp

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in LARK. CGN Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Landmark Bancorp by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. CGN Advisors LLC now owns 11,045 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $265,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in shares of Landmark Bancorp by 5.2% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 13,613 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $275,000 after acquiring an additional 670 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in shares of Landmark Bancorp by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 13,969 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $335,000 after acquiring an additional 660 shares during the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Landmark Bancorp by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 14,053 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $337,000 after acquiring an additional 671 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fourthstone LLC bought a new position in shares of Landmark Bancorp during the fourth quarter worth about $466,000. 25.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Landmark Bancorp Company Profile

Landmark Bancorp, Inc operates as the financial holding company for Landmark National Bank that provides various financial and banking services to its local communities. It offers non-interest bearing demand, money market, checking, and savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company also provides one-to-four family residential real estate, construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial, paycheck protection program, municipal, and agriculture loans; and consumer and other loans, such as automobile, boat, and home improvement and home equity loans, as well as insurance, and mobile and online banking services.