Norwood Financial (NASDAQ:NWFL) Share Price Crosses Above 50-Day Moving Average – Here’s Why

Norwood Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:NWFL) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $28.19 and traded as high as $28.25. Norwood Financial shares last traded at $28.09, with a volume of 12,683 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research downgraded Norwood Financial from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Norwood Financial from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Norwood Financial in a report on Monday, December 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $26.50.

Norwood Financial Stock Up 1.1%

The company has a market capitalization of $260.11 million, a P/E ratio of 43.22 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $28.19 and its 200 day moving average is $26.46.

Norwood Financial (NASDAQ:NWFL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $22.96 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.10 million. Norwood Financial had a net margin of 6.82% and a return on equity of 10.68%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.48 EPS. Research analysts predict that Norwood Financial Corp. will post 2.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Norwood Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be issued a $0.32 dividend. This is an increase from Norwood Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.6%. Norwood Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 190.77%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director James Shook acquired 3,800 shares of Norwood Financial stock in a transaction on Monday, October 27th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $26.71 per share, with a total value of $101,498.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,830 shares in the company, valued at $129,009.30. This trade represents a 368.93% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 9.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Norwood Financial

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Norwood Financial by 32.8% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 9,923 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $252,000 after buying an additional 2,450 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Norwood Financial by 61.1% during the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 12,507 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $318,000 after acquiring an additional 4,742 shares during the period. Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Norwood Financial in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $605,000. Community Bank N.A. lifted its stake in shares of Norwood Financial by 91.6% in the 3rd quarter. Community Bank N.A. now owns 6,802 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $173,000 after purchasing an additional 3,252 shares during the period. Finally, Bulldog Investors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Norwood Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $237,000. 28.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Norwood Financial Company Profile

Norwood Financial Corporation is the bank holding company for Norwood Bank, a community-oriented financial institution headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 2010, the company oversees a network of branch offices serving suburban and metropolitan communities in eastern Massachusetts. Norwood Financial’s mission emphasizes personalized service, local decision-making and a commitment to supporting neighborhood growth.

The company’s primary business activities encompass a full suite of personal and commercial banking products and services.