Waterstone Financial (NASDAQ:WSBF) Upgraded to Buy at StockNews.com

Waterstone Financial (NASDAQ:WSBF) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Thursday.

Waterstone Financial Stock Performance

NASDAQ WSBF opened at $13.47 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $13.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.39. Waterstone Financial has a twelve month low of $10.60 and a twelve month high of $16.86. The firm has a market cap of $260.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.34 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64.

Waterstone Financial (NASDAQ:WSBF) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The savings and loans company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Waterstone Financial had a return on equity of 5.75% and a net margin of 9.23%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Waterstone Financial

In related news, Director Stephen J. Schmidt sold 14,928 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.80, for a total value of $206,006.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 70,078 shares in the company, valued at $967,076.40. This trade represents a 17.56 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Patrick S. Lawton sold 37,500 shares of Waterstone Financial stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.03, for a total value of $526,125.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 49,131 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $689,307.93. The trade was a 43.29 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 66,669 shares of company stock valued at $929,283. 8.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Waterstone Financial

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in Waterstone Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at about $291,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in Waterstone Financial by 5.3% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 74,068 shares of the savings and loans company’s stock worth $1,089,000 after buying an additional 3,752 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Waterstone Financial by 79.9% in the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 31,108 shares of the savings and loans company’s stock valued at $457,000 after purchasing an additional 13,819 shares during the last quarter. Foundry Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Waterstone Financial by 19.4% in the 3rd quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 205,165 shares of the savings and loans company’s stock valued at $3,016,000 after purchasing an additional 33,305 shares during the last quarter. Finally, John G Ullman & Associates Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Waterstone Financial by 165.0% in the third quarter. John G Ullman & Associates Inc. now owns 90,826 shares of the savings and loans company’s stock valued at $1,335,000 after buying an additional 56,554 shares in the last quarter. 62.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Waterstone Financial

Waterstone Financial, Inc operates as a bank holding company for WaterStone Bank SSB that provides various financial services to customers in southeastern Wisconsin, the United States. It operates in two segments, Community Banking and Mortgage Banking. The Community Banking segment offers consumer and business banking products and services, such as deposit and transactional solutions, including checking accounts, online banking and bill pay services, money transfer services, as well as credit, debit, and pre-paid cards; investable funds solutions comprising savings, money market deposits, individual retirement accounts, and certificates of deposit; residential mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, personal and installment loans, real estate financing, business loans, and business lines of credit; and fixed and variable annuities, insurance products, and trust and investment management accounts.