Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) Short Interest Up 15.3% in February

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 68,841 shares, an increase of 15.3% from the February 12th total of 59,731 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 4,451 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 15.5 days. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 4,451 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 15.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on HWBK shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Hawthorn Bancshares in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen raised Hawthorn Bancshares from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Hawthorn Bancshares Stock Performance

Shares of HWBK stock traded up $0.38 on Tuesday, hitting $33.87. 868 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,942. The company’s fifty day moving average is $33.61 and its 200 day moving average is $32.60. Hawthorn Bancshares has a 1-year low of $25.38 and a 1-year high of $36.49. The company has a market capitalization of $233.74 million, a PE ratio of 9.80 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Hawthorn Bancshares (NASDAQ:HWBK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $21.18 million during the quarter. Hawthorn Bancshares had a net margin of 21.26% and a return on equity of 14.66%.

Hawthorn Bancshares Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Sunday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This is a positive change from Hawthorn Bancshares’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Hawthorn Bancshares’s payout ratio is currently 24.49%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hawthorn Bancshares

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 38.2% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,195 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares during the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC grew its position in Hawthorn Bancshares by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 73,604 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,145,000 after purchasing an additional 421 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,747 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $482,000 after purchasing an additional 497 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG raised its holdings in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 16.8% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 4,665 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $163,000 after buying an additional 670 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey acquired a new position in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. 30.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hawthorn Bancshares Company Profile

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc is the bank holding company for Hawthorn Bank, a community-focused financial institution headquartered in Aurora, Missouri. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, the company provides a comprehensive range of banking and financial services to individuals, small businesses, agricultural enterprises and commercial clients across southwest Missouri and select markets in nearby states. Hawthorn Bank operates a network of full-service branches and digital banking platforms designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

The company’s core offerings include deposit products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, as well as consumer lending solutions comprising residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto loans and personal loans.