Seaport Res Ptn Comments on Webster Financial Co.’s Q4 2024 Earnings (NYSE:WBS)

Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS) – Stock analysts at Seaport Res Ptn decreased their Q4 2024 earnings estimates for Webster Financial in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, April 24th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst L. Hunsicker now anticipates that the financial services provider will post earnings per share of $1.47 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.60. The consensus estimate for Webster Financial’s current full-year earnings is $5.72 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Webster Financial’s Q1 2025 earnings at $1.51 EPS and Q2 2025 earnings at $1.54 EPS.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.37 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $667.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $680.72 million. Webster Financial had a net margin of 21.09% and a return on equity of 12.55%. Webster Financial’s revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.49 EPS.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on WBS. Raymond James reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Tuesday, March 26th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $51.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $65.00 to $56.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $64.00 to $58.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $56.23.

Webster Financial Price Performance

WBS stock opened at $45.02 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $47.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $46.48. The company has a market capitalization of $7.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.23, a PEG ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.33. Webster Financial has a 52-week low of $31.03 and a 52-week high of $53.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.86.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Webster Financial during the first quarter valued at about $142,000. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Webster Financial by 30.4% during the first quarter. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 429,020 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $21,781,000 after buying an additional 100,139 shares during the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Webster Financial by 2.5% during the first quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 263,116 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $13,358,000 after buying an additional 6,506 shares during the last quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Webster Financial during the first quarter valued at about $303,000. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 6.5% during the first quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 20,971 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,065,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285 shares in the last quarter. 85.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Webster Financial news, COO Luis Massiani sold 13,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total value of $697,005.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 89,621 shares in the company, valued at $4,627,132.23. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, COO Luis Massiani sold 13,500 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total transaction of $697,005.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 89,621 shares in the company, valued at $4,627,132.23. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Christopher J. Motl sold 10,475 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.40, for a total transaction of $548,890.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 63,306 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,317,234.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 25,975 shares of company stock worth $1,341,095. 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Webster Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 6th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 3rd. Webster Financial’s payout ratio is 32.79%.

Webster Financial Company Profile

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.