MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC)

MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC) by 22.0% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 5,020 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 1,415 shares during the quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in East West Bancorp were worth $481,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in East West Bancorp during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in East West Bancorp during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in East West Bancorp by 362.8% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 361 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares in the last quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in East West Bancorp in the 3rd quarter valued at about $79,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its holdings in East West Bancorp by 822.9% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,006 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 897 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.53% of the company’s stock.

East West Bancorp Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ EWBC opened at $98.97 on Wednesday. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a twelve month low of $68.36 and a twelve month high of $113.95. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a market capitalization of $13.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $99.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.94.

East West Bancorp Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 3rd will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.42%. This is an increase from East West Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 3rd. East West Bancorp’s payout ratio is 28.81%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Jack C. Liu sold 1,275 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total transaction of $133,275.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,557 shares in the company, valued at $1,521,643.21. This represents a 8.05 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.04% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on EWBC shares. Compass Point lifted their price target on East West Bancorp from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Citigroup lifted their price target on East West Bancorp from $103.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Stephens lowered East West Bancorp from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. UBS Group assumed coverage on East West Bancorp in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $112.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised East West Bancorp from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, East West Bancorp has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $110.38.

About East West Bancorp

East West Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for East West Bank that provides a range of personal and commercial banking services to businesses and individuals in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer and Business Banking, Commercial Banking, and Other.