Short Interest in Isabella Bank Corporation (NASDAQ:ISBA) Grows By 46.4%

Isabella Bank Corporation (NASDAQ:ISBA) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 60,528 shares, a growth of 46.4% from the December 15th total of 41,351 shares. Approximately 0.8% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,213 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,213 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days. Approximately 0.8% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Isabella Bank Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of ISBA traded up $0.84 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $50.84. 48,613 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 24,669. Isabella Bank has a 12 month low of $21.50 and a 12 month high of $58.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $47.38. The stock has a market cap of $373.17 million, a P/E ratio of 20.67 and a beta of 0.09.

Isabella Bank (NASDAQ:ISBA) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $20.47 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.60 million. Isabella Bank had a net margin of 16.65% and a return on equity of 8.01%.

Isabella Bank Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 17th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 17th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Isabella Bank’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.53%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Isabella Bank from $34.00 to $38.50 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Isabella Bank in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Isabella Bank from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $38.50.

Institutional Trading of Isabella Bank

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ISBA. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Isabella Bank by 2,617.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,685 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 1,623 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in Isabella Bank in the second quarter worth about $77,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Isabella Bank during the third quarter valued at approximately $215,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new position in shares of Isabella Bank during the third quarter valued at approximately $217,000. Finally, FourThought Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Isabella Bank during the second quarter valued at approximately $247,000.

Isabella Bank Company Profile

Isabella Bank (NASDAQ: ISBA) is a community bank headquartered in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, serving individuals and businesses across mid-Michigan. The bank delivers a broad array of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and online and mobile banking platforms designed to meet everyday banking needs.

On the commercial side, Isabella Bank offers business lending solutions such as lines of credit, term loans, and equipment financing, alongside treasury management, merchant services, and payroll processing to help companies manage cash flow and streamline operations.