East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $110.38.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of East West Bancorp from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday. Compass Point increased their target price on shares of East West Bancorp from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of East West Bancorp from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. DA Davidson reduced their target price on shares of East West Bancorp from $120.00 to $118.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Stephens cut shares of East West Bancorp from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th.

Insider Transactions at East West Bancorp

In related news, Director Jack C. Liu sold 1,275 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.53, for a total value of $133,275.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,557 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,521,643.21. This trade represents a 8.05 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.04% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of East West Bancorp

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in East West Bancorp in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in East West Bancorp during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in East West Bancorp by 362.8% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 361 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 283 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in East West Bancorp by 73.2% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 414 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.53% of the company’s stock.

East West Bancorp Stock Up 0.7 %

EWBC stock opened at $99.25 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.92. East West Bancorp has a 52-week low of $68.78 and a 52-week high of $113.95. The company has a 50-day moving average of $99.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of $93.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.30.

East West Bancorp Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This is a positive change from East West Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 3rd. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.42%. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.81%.

About East West Bancorp

East West Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for East West Bank that provides a range of personal and commercial banking services to businesses and individuals in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer and Business Banking, Commercial Banking, and Other.