West Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WTBA) Stock Price Passes Above 200 Day Moving Average – Time to Sell?

West Bancorporation, Inc. (NASDAQ:WTBA)’s stock price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $19.95 and traded as high as $23.65. West Bancorporation shares last traded at $23.39, with a volume of 25,822 shares.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on WTBA shares. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on West Bancorporation from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com raised shares of West Bancorporation from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th.

West Bancorporation Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $22.66 and a 200 day moving average of $20.02. The firm has a market cap of $365.95 million, a P/E ratio of 16.98 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86.

West Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WTBA) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $50.97 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.00 million. West Bancorporation had a net margin of 11.17% and a return on equity of 9.46%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.35 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that West Bancorporation, Inc. will post 1.4 earnings per share for the current year.

West Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 6th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 6th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.60%. West Bancorporation’s dividend payout ratio is presently 78.13%.

Insider Transactions at West Bancorporation

In related news, Director Douglas R. Gulling sold 4,000 shares of West Bancorporation stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.61, for a total value of $94,440.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 80,709 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,905,539.49. This trade represents a 4.72 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 4.48% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On West Bancorporation

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in West Bancorporation by 280.0% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 48,424 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $867,000 after buying an additional 35,680 shares in the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of West Bancorporation by 24.8% in the second quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 199,435 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,570,000 after acquiring an additional 39,675 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of West Bancorporation by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 120,264 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,153,000 after purchasing an additional 3,945 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in shares of West Bancorporation by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 216,752 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,880,000 after purchasing an additional 8,200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Choreo LLC acquired a new position in West Bancorporation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $267,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 44.30% of the company’s stock.

West Bancorporation Company Profile

West Bancorporation, Inc operates as the financial holding company provides community banking and trust services to individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses in the United States. It offers deposit services, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as time certificates of deposit.