Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ:BPOP) Shares Sold by Versor Investments LP

Versor Investments LP lessened its holdings in shares of Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ:BPOP) by 74.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,100 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 14,600 shares during the quarter. Versor Investments LP’s holdings in Popular were worth $480,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Popular during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Popular in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in shares of Popular in the third quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Popular during the third quarter worth approximately $81,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Popular during the fourth quarter worth $166,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.27% of the company’s stock.

Popular Price Performance

Shares of Popular stock opened at $100.43 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.82. The business has a 50-day moving average of $99.41 and a 200 day moving average of $97.98. Popular, Inc. has a 12 month low of $80.60 and a 12 month high of $106.81.

Popular (NASDAQ:BPOP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The bank reported $2.51 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.04 by $0.47. Popular had a net margin of 14.15% and a return on equity of 11.89%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Popular, Inc. will post 10.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Popular Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be given a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.79%. Popular’s dividend payout ratio is presently 32.71%.

Insider Transactions at Popular

In other Popular news, EVP Gilberto Monzon sold 9,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.57, for a total value of $984,672.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 39,170 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,017,666.90. This trade represents a 19.68 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Eduardo J. Negron sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.02, for a total transaction of $1,040,200.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 32,866 shares in the company, valued at $3,418,721.32. The trade was a 23.33 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 2.09% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on BPOP shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Popular from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. StockNews.com raised shares of Popular from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Popular from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Popular in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $104.00 price target for the company. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Popular from $116.00 to $129.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $112.25.

Popular Profile

Popular, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various retail, mortgage, and commercial banking products and services in Puerto Rico, the United States, and the British Virgin Islands. The company provides savings, NOW, money market, and other interest-bearing demand accounts; non-interest bearing demand deposits; and certificates of deposit.