Sterling Financial Planning Inc. Takes $246,000 Position in Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS)

Sterling Financial Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 4,852 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $246,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in WBS. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Webster Financial in the third quarter worth about $32,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Webster Financial in the second quarter worth about $32,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Webster Financial by 9,388.9% in the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 854 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 845 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Webster Financial in the third quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Webster Financial by 305.8% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 905 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 682 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.58% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Webster Financial from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Webster Financial from $59.00 to $57.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 9th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Webster Financial from $51.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Raymond James reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Tuesday, March 26th. Finally, Barclays began coverage on Webster Financial in a report on Friday, March 8th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $70.00 target price for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $57.85.

Webster Financial Price Performance

Shares of Webster Financial stock traded down $0.10 on Thursday, reaching $45.30. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,073,781 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,134,312. The company has a market capitalization of $7.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.28, a PEG ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.33. Webster Financial Co. has a 52-week low of $31.03 and a 52-week high of $53.39. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $48.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $46.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.48 by ($0.02). Webster Financial had a return on equity of 13.05% and a net margin of 22.01%. The firm had revenue of $996.96 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $674.82 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.60 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.86 EPS for the current year.

Webster Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Investors of record on Monday, February 5th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 2nd. Webster Financial’s payout ratio is 32.72%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 3,966 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.56, for a total transaction of $204,486.96. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 49,528 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,553,663.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, COO Luis Massiani sold 13,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total value of $697,005.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 89,621 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,627,132.23. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 3,966 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.56, for a total value of $204,486.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 49,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,553,663.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 29,941 shares of company stock valued at $1,545,582 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.88% of the company’s stock.

Webster Financial Company Profile

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.