Short Interest in National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC) Increases By 29.6%

National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 1,029,767 shares, an increase of 29.6% from the January 15th total of 794,439 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 517,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 2.8% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 2.8% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 517,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

National Bank Price Performance

Shares of National Bank stock opened at $41.85 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.68 and a beta of 0.81. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $40.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. National Bank has a 1-year low of $32.83 and a 1-year high of $43.53.

National Bank (NYSE:NBHC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.27). National Bank had a return on equity of 8.65% and a net margin of 18.66%.The business had revenue of $100.64 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $107.48 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.86 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that National Bank will post 3.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Bank Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.32 dividend. This is a positive change from National Bank’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. National Bank’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.51%.

Insider Activity at National Bank

In other news, insider John Steinmetz purchased 24,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $41.41 per share, for a total transaction of $1,002,122.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider directly owned 536,504 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,216,630.64. The trade was a 4.72% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Bank

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of National Bank by 34.3% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 23,683 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $906,000 after acquiring an additional 6,052 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in National Bank by 97.2% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 26,300 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 12,962 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in National Bank by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 22,066 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $844,000 after purchasing an additional 1,079 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Bank by 2,057.9% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 199,453 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $7,633,000 after purchasing an additional 190,210 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in shares of National Bank by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 94,367 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,611,000 after buying an additional 9,626 shares during the period. 92.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on NBHC shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of National Bank in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of National Bank from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Stephens raised shares of National Bank from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $42.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of National Bank from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, DA Davidson reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $46.00 price objective on shares of National Bank in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $44.75.

National Bank Company Profile

National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) is a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Through its network of community bank subsidiaries, the company provides deposit, lending and payment solutions to consumer, small business and commercial clients across multiple U.S. markets.

Since its founding in 1992, National Bank Holdings has pursued a growth strategy focused on acquiring and integrating locally branded community banks. Its footprint spans the Midwest and Southern United States, including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Tennessee.