Norwood Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:NWFL) Short Interest Down 61.6% in January

Norwood Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:NWFL) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 224,408 shares, a decline of 61.6% from the December 31st total of 584,575 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 46,163 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.9 days. Approximately 2.6% of the company’s shares are short sold. Approximately 2.6% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 46,163 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.9 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NWFL has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Norwood Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Zacks Research lowered shares of Norwood Financial from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Norwood Financial in a report on Monday, December 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $26.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director James Shook acquired 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $28.80 per share, for a total transaction of $100,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 8,330 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $239,904. The trade was a 72.46% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Joseph W. Carroll bought 4,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $28.13 per share, with a total value of $112,520.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 41,503 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,167,479.39. This trade represents a 10.67% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders acquired 9,850 shares of company stock worth $278,735. Insiders own 9.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Norwood Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of Norwood Financial by 130.7% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,061 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 601 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Norwood Financial by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 61,743 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,592,000 after purchasing an additional 604 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in Norwood Financial by 18.5% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 4,909 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $119,000 after buying an additional 765 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Norwood Financial by 68.9% during the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,138 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 872 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Norwood Financial by 144.5% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,100 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 1,241 shares during the period. 28.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Norwood Financial Price Performance

Shares of NWFL stock traded up $1.37 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $29.43. The stock had a trading volume of 35,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 36,809. Norwood Financial has a one year low of $21.25 and a one year high of $30.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $28.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $272.52 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.84 and a beta of 0.61.

Norwood Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. This is a boost from Norwood Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Norwood Financial’s payout ratio is 42.81%.

Norwood Financial Company Profile

Norwood Financial Corporation is the bank holding company for Norwood Bank, a community-oriented financial institution headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 2010, the company oversees a network of branch offices serving suburban and metropolitan communities in eastern Massachusetts. Norwood Financial’s mission emphasizes personalized service, local decision-making and a commitment to supporting neighborhood growth.

The company’s primary business activities encompass a full suite of personal and commercial banking products and services.