Ames National Corporation (NASDAQ:ATLO) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Ames National Corporation (NASDAQ:ATLO) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 198,404 shares, a growth of 50.7% from the December 31st total of 131,625 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 24,414 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 8.1 days. Approximately 2.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 2.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 24,414 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 8.1 days.

Ames National Stock Performance

NASDAQ:ATLO opened at $26.10 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $232.03 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.20 and a beta of 0.40. Ames National has a fifty-two week low of $16.09 and a fifty-two week high of $26.28. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $23.23 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.09.

Ames National (NASDAQ:ATLO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter. Ames National had a return on equity of 9.90% and a net margin of 19.36%.The business had revenue of $18.68 million during the quarter.

Ames National Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Ames National’s dividend payout ratio is 37.38%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ames National by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 15,273 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $272,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Ames National by 67.6% during the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,379 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 556 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Ames National by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 15,083 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $269,000 after buying an additional 1,017 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its stake in Ames National by 150.5% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,836 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 1,103 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in Ames National by 148.3% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,175 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 1,299 shares during the last quarter. 26.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ames National in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, Ames National presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

About Ames National

Ames National Corporation is the bank holding company for Ames National Bank, a full-service community bank headquartered in Ames, Iowa. Through its subsidiary, the company provides a range of commercial and consumer banking products designed to meet the needs of individuals, small businesses, farmers and agribusiness clients in central Iowa. Its network of branch offices serves Story County and neighboring counties, supporting local economic development and community initiatives.

The company’s core offerings include checking and savings accounts, money market and certificate of deposit products, along with online and mobile banking services.