Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) Short Interest Down 24.5% in February

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 7,100 shares, a decline of 24.5% from the February 13th total of 9,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 11,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Hawthorn Bancshares Stock Down 2.3 %

HWBK opened at $27.96 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $31.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.73. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The company has a market cap of $195.36 million, a PE ratio of 10.71 and a beta of 0.59. Hawthorn Bancshares has a 52 week low of $17.86 and a 52 week high of $35.95.

Hawthorn Bancshares (NASDAQ:HWBK) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter. Hawthorn Bancshares had a return on equity of 13.00% and a net margin of 16.65%.

Hawthorn Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.72%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. Hawthorn Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio is presently 29.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com raised Hawthorn Bancshares from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jonathan Holtaway sold 2,682 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.91, for a total transaction of $88,264.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 366,598 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,064,740.18. This represents a 0.73 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 23.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Hawthorn Bancshares

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HWBK. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in Hawthorn Bancshares by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 28,496 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $808,000 after purchasing an additional 1,327 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Hawthorn Bancshares by 11.3% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 68,657 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,719,000 after purchasing an additional 6,955 shares during the period. Alexander Labrunerie & CO. Inc. increased its position in Hawthorn Bancshares by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Alexander Labrunerie & CO. Inc. now owns 15,214 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $431,000 after purchasing an additional 625 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its position in Hawthorn Bancshares by 42.6% during the 4th quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 7,368 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $209,000 after purchasing an additional 2,200 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its position in Hawthorn Bancshares by 29.3% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 25,881 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $734,000 after purchasing an additional 5,870 shares during the period. 30.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hawthorn Bancshares Company Profile

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Hawthorn Bank that provides various banking services in the United States. It accepts checking, savings, money market, individual retirement, and other time deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company also offers commercial and industrial, single payment personal, installment, commercial and residential real estate, and consumer loans, as well as equipment, operating, and small business administration loans; and debit and credit cards.