Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWBK) saw a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 76,191 shares, a decline of 28.6% from the December 15th total of 106,643 shares. Approximately 1.4% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 11,019 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.9 days. Based on an average trading volume of 11,019 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.9 days. Approximately 1.4% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Hawthorn Bancshares from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Hawthorn Bancshares in a report on Monday, December 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hawthorn Bancshares presently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hawthorn Bancshares

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HWBK. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Hawthorn Bancshares by 150.7% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 20,460 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $578,000 after purchasing an additional 12,299 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 30,547 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $862,000 after buying an additional 2,051 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares in the 1st quarter valued at $457,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Hawthorn Bancshares by 101.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 143,777 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $4,191,000 after buying an additional 72,343 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey acquired a new stake in Hawthorn Bancshares during the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 30.73% of the company’s stock.

Hawthorn Bancshares Stock Down 2.7%

NASDAQ:HWBK traded down $0.88 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $31.71. The stock had a trading volume of 6,014 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,043. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. Hawthorn Bancshares has a twelve month low of $25.21 and a twelve month high of $36.49. The company has a market capitalization of $218.80 million, a PE ratio of 9.94 and a beta of 0.53. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $33.25 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.39.

Hawthorn Bancshares (NASDAQ:HWBK) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $17.25 million for the quarter. Hawthorn Bancshares had a net margin of 20.09% and a return on equity of 14.22%.

Hawthorn Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Hawthorn Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio is currently 25.08%.

About Hawthorn Bancshares

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc is the bank holding company for Hawthorn Bank, a community-focused financial institution headquartered in Aurora, Missouri. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, the company provides a comprehensive range of banking and financial services to individuals, small businesses, agricultural enterprises and commercial clients across southwest Missouri and select markets in nearby states. Hawthorn Bank operates a network of full-service branches and digital banking platforms designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

The company’s core offerings include deposit products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, as well as consumer lending solutions comprising residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto loans and personal loans.