Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS) CEO John R. Ciulla Sells 8,000 Shares

Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS) CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.33, for a total transaction of $474,640.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 218,924 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,988,760.92. This trade represents a 3.53 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Webster Financial Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WBS traded up $1.01 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $61.50. 203,718 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,255,967. Webster Financial Co. has a one year low of $39.33 and a one year high of $61.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The company’s 50 day moving average is $51.06 and its 200 day moving average is $46.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.54 billion, a PE ratio of 13.76, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.27.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.35 by ($0.01). Webster Financial had a return on equity of 11.03% and a net margin of 18.80%. The company had revenue of $647.62 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $677.72 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.55 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Webster Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 1st were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 1st. Webster Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.28%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on WBS shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Webster Financial from $57.00 to $54.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 30th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Webster Financial from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Stephens set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Webster Financial from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Webster Financial from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Webster Financial presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $57.85.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Webster Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in Webster Financial during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of Webster Financial by 340.7% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 595 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 460 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Webster Financial in the second quarter valued at about $32,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Webster Financial in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. raised its holdings in shares of Webster Financial by 7,650.0% during the second quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,240 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 1,224 shares during the last quarter. 85.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Webster Financial

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.