Stieven Capital Advisors L.P. Raises Holdings in Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF)

Stieven Capital Advisors L.P. boosted its holdings in Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF) by 6.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 343,364 shares of the bank’s stock after acquiring an additional 19,787 shares during the period. Heartland Financial USA comprises about 3.7% of Stieven Capital Advisors L.P.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Stieven Capital Advisors L.P.’s holdings in Heartland Financial USA were worth $21,050,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. USA Financial Formulas raised its position in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 90.4% during the 4th quarter. USA Financial Formulas now owns 2,018 shares of the bank’s stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 958 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in Heartland Financial USA during the 3rd quarter worth $125,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Heartland Financial USA by 2,193.4% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,775 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $157,000 after buying an additional 2,654 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Heartland Financial USA during the third quarter valued at $225,000. Finally, Tanager Wealth Management LLP bought a new position in shares of Heartland Financial USA during the fourth quarter worth about $256,000. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other Heartland Financial USA news, EVP Mark A. Frank sold 432 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.24, for a total transaction of $29,047.68. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 1,060 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $71,274.40. This trade represents a 28.95 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Jennifer K. Hopkins sold 5,811 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.56, for a total transaction of $392,591.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,963 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $470,420.28. This represents a 45.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.80% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Heartland Financial USA in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock.

Heartland Financial USA Stock Down 2.2 %

HTLF opened at $64.67 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $64.12 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.13 and a beta of 0.98. Heartland Financial USA, Inc. has a 12 month low of $32.03 and a 12 month high of $70.27.

Heartland Financial USA Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 14th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 14th. Heartland Financial USA’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.04%.

About Heartland Financial USA

Heartland Financial USA, Inc, a bank holding company, provides commercial, small business, and consumer banking services to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking, demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, savings, money market, and individual retirement; certificates of deposit; and other time deposits.