CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS LLC REDUCES STAKE IN HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, REFLECTING STRATEGIC DECISION; BANK’S QUARTERLY EARNINGS REVEAL MIXED RESULTS

On September 8, 2023, it was reported that Clearbridge Investments LLC has decreased its position in Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF) by 25.5% during the first quarter of the year. The investment firm sold 11,364 shares of the bank’s stock, resulting in a total ownership of 33,250 shares. According to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Clearbridge Investments LLC’s stake in Heartland Financial USA is valued at approximately $1,275,000.

Heartland Financial USA recently released its quarterly earnings report on July 31st. The bank announced earnings per share of $1.14 for the quarter, slightly lower than analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.15. Despite missing expectations by ($0.01), Heartland Financial USA demonstrated a return on equity of 13.48% and a net margin of 22.98%. The company generated $179.63 million in revenue for the quarter, which fell short of analysts’ forecast of $181.53 million.

Equities analysts predict that for the current fiscal year, Heartland Financial USA will post an EPS (earnings per share) of 4.51.

The news about Clearbridge Investments LLC reducing its position in Heartland Financial USA reflects a strategic investment decision influenced by various factors such as market trends and performance evaluation metrics. It suggests that some investors may have opted to reallocate their capital or diversify their portfolios based on their assessment of the bank’s future prospects.

Heartland Financial USA’s quarterly earnings results also provide insights into the bank’s financial performance and profitability during the period under review. While it fell slightly short of analyst expectations regarding earnings per share and revenue figures, it showcased healthy returns on equity and net margins.

It is worth noting that these figures are subject to change as new information becomes available or market conditions fluctuate. Investors and analysts alike will continue to track Heartland Financial USA’s performance closely to assess whether the bank will meet or exceed expectations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Interested parties should consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Institutional Investors and Hedge Funds Make Moves on Heartland Financial USA Stock, Maintaining a Stable Market Performance

On September 8, 2023, it was reported that several hedge funds and institutional investors had made changes to their positions in Heartland Financial USA. UBS Group AG, for example, increased its holdings in the company by 19.5% during the first quarter of the year. This resulted in UBS Group AG now owning 46,018 shares of Heartland Financial USA’s stock valued at $1,765,000 after purchasing an additional 7,504 shares.

Sei Investments Co. also boosted its stake in Heartland Financial USA by 19.1% during the first quarter, acquiring an additional 21,574 shares and raising its total ownership to 134,625 shares valued at $5,164,000.

Other investors who made changes to their positions include Martingale Asset Management LP and Dark Forest Capital Management LP. The former increased its stake by 1.6% and now owns 65,472 shares worth $2,512,000. The latter significantly raised its stake by 521.5%, resulting in ownership of 1,013 shares valued at $39,000.

Additionally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Heartland Financial USA by 4.6% during the first quarter. They acquired an additional 99,372 shares bringing their total ownership to around 2.28 million shares valued at $87 million.

Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds own a significant portion (68.84%) of Heartland Financial USA’s stock.

In terms of recent market performance on Friday morning (date specified), HTLF (Heartland Financial USA) opened at a price of $30.92 per share.

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio as well as quick ratio both standing at 0.67 indicating financial stability albeit moderate liquidity levels.

HTLF’s stock performance over the past 50 days has shown a simple moving average of $31.32 and over the past 200 days, it had a simple moving average of $33.84. Its lowest price in the past year was recorded at $26.10 while its highest reached $51.60.

HTLF has a market capitalization of approximately $1.32 billion and maintains a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.25 along with a beta value of 1.06.

Regarding dividends, Heartland Financial USA recently announced the payment of its quarterly dividend on August 25th to stockholders who were recorded as such on August 11th. The dividend amounted to $0.30 per share, resulting in an annual dividend yield of approximately 3.88%. Based on the current payout ratio, which is at 24.24%, it appears that HTLF effectively manages its dividend payments.

Multiple research firms have provided reports on HTLF’s stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage of Heartland Financial USA and assigned it a “hold” rating on August 17th. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a target price of $38 for the stock on August 1st. Lastly, DA Davidson upgraded their target price from $31 to $35 while giving HTLF a “neutral” rating on August 1st as well.

In conclusion, various institutional investors and hedge funds made notable changes to their positions in Heartland Financial USA during the first quarter of this year. UBS Group AG, Sei Investments Co., Martingale Asset Management LP, Dark Forest Capital Management LP, and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP all adjusted their stakes in HTLF accordingly.

Heartland Financial USA’s stock opened at $30.92 on Friday morning (date specified), showcasing stable financial ratios such as debt-to-equity and liquidity levels represented by current and quick ratios.

The recent announcement of the company’s quarterly dividend indicates a consistent payout ratio and the consensus among research firms suggests a cautious stance on HTLF with a “hold” rating predominating among analysts.