EQB (TSE:EQB) Insider Purchases C$2,001,120.00 in Stock

EQB Inc. (TSE:EQB) insider Loblaw Companies Limited purchased 16,000 shares of EQB stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$125.07 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,001,120.00. Following the acquisition, the insider directly owned 1,772,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately C$221,636,547. This represents a 0.91% increase in their ownership of the stock.

Loblaw Companies Limited also recently made the following trade(s):

• On Friday, September 25th, Loblaw Companies Limited acquired 8,000 shares of EQB stock. The shares were bought at an average price of C$127.05 per share, with a total value of C$1,016,400.00.
• On Monday, September 21st, Loblaw Companies Limited bought 16,000 shares of EQB stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$126.07 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,017,120.00.
• On Tuesday, September 15th, Loblaw Companies Limited purchased 16,000 shares of EQB stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$126.95 per share, with a total value of C$2,031,200.00.
• On Thursday, September 17th, Loblaw Companies Limited purchased 16,000 shares of EQB stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$126.90 per share, with a total value of C$2,030,400.00.
• On Tuesday, September 8th, Loblaw Companies Limited purchased 16,000 shares of EQB stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$130.24 per share, with a total value of C$2,083,840.00.
• On Thursday, September 10th, Loblaw Companies Limited acquired 16,000 shares of EQB stock. The stock was bought at an average price of C$128.16 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,050,560.00.
• On Monday, August 31st, Loblaw Companies Limited acquired 16,000 shares of EQB stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$126.79 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,028,640.00.
• On Wednesday, September 2nd, Loblaw Companies Limited acquired 16,000 shares of EQB stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$127.81 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,044,960.00.
• On Thursday, September 3rd, Loblaw Companies Limited acquired 8,000 shares of EQB stock. The shares were bought at an average price of C$133.12 per share, with a total value of C$1,064,960.00.
• On Monday, August 24th, Loblaw Companies Limited acquired 8,000 shares of EQB stock. The shares were bought at an average price of C$133.47 per share, with a total value of C$1,067,760.00.

EQB Stock Performance

Shares of EQB stock opened at C$126.20 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of C$4.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -450.71, a PEG ratio of 0.34 and a beta of 0.83. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$134.07 and a 200 day moving average price of C$125.14. EQB Inc. has a twelve month low of C$83.93 and a twelve month high of C$150.32.

EQB (TSE:EQB) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 26th. The company reported C$2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$393.04 million for the quarter. EQB had a negative net margin of 0.08% and a negative return on equity of 0.07%. As a group, research analysts predict that EQB Inc. will post 12.5988235 earnings per share for the current year.

EQB Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 29th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 29th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. This is an increase from EQB’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. EQB’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -828.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Scotiabank reduced their price target on EQB from C$141.00 to C$135.00 in a research note on Monday, August 31st. Raymond James Financial downgraded EQB from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating and lowered their price objective for the company from C$136.00 to C$120.00 in a research report on Friday, August 28th. Desjardins dropped their target price on EQB from C$155.00 to C$150.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on EQB from C$131.00 to C$146.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, August 28th. Finally, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce decreased their price target on EQB from C$165.00 to C$154.00 and set an “outperformer” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 28th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of C$139.10.

Key Headlines Impacting EQB

Here are the key news stories impacting EQB this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Director Andrew Michael Bunston purchased 200 shares for approximately C$25,274, establishing a direct position in EQB. While relatively small, the open-market purchase may indicate confidence in the company’s valuation and outlook. EQB insider trading information
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic investor Loblaw Companies Limited bought an additional 24,000 EQB shares across September 24 and 25 for a combined C$3.02 million. Loblaw’s ownership increased to 1,780,100 shares, reinforcing a sizable shareholder commitment and potentially supporting investor sentiment. EQB insider trading information
• Neutral Sentiment: At the CIBC investor conference, EQB discussed business growth while also acknowledging pressure in its credit portfolio. The combination suggests that expansion remains intact, but investors are likely focused on loan quality, provisions and potential impacts on future earnings. EQB at CIBC investor conference
• Negative Sentiment: Credit tension highlighted at the conference could weigh on EQB’s near-term results if rising delinquencies or provisions offset loan and revenue growth. This risk may explain why the stock remains below its 50-day moving average despite trading near its 200-day average.

EQB Company Profile

EQB Inc (TSX: EQB) is a leading Canadian financial services company with approximately $151 billion in combined assets under management and administration. It is the parent company of Equitable Bank, the country’s seventh largest Schedule I bank by assets, which operates EQ Bank, Canada’s Challenger Bank. Our purpose is to remake banking so every Canadian gets ahead, every day. Since 1970, we have built thoughtful financial solutions that serve more than 4 million customers, turning everyday moments into meaningful progress.