Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) Short Interest Down 29.3% in March

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,590,000 shares, a drop of 29.3% from the February 28th total of 2,250,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,550,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE BBVA traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $13.74. 1,864,077 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,819,479. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has a 52-week low of $9.23 and a 52-week high of $14.84. The company has a market capitalization of $80.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.26. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $12.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $11.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The bank reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.04. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 28.10% and a return on equity of 17.49%. Equities research analysts expect that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria will post 1.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a $0.4439 dividend. This represents a yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 9th. This is an increase from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.11. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria’s payout ratio is currently 39.23%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BBVA. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 120.7% in the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 3,540 shares of the bank’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,936 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank raised its position in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 96.7% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 3,616 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 1,778 shares during the period. Avion Wealth acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. Barclays PLC acquired a new position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the third quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the 4th quarter worth about $49,000. 2.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on BBVA shares. Kepler Capital Markets raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. StockNews.com cut shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

About Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and internationally. The company offers savings account, demand deposits, and time deposits; and loan products, such as residential mortgages, other households, credit card loans, loans to enterprises and public sector, as well as consumer finance.