Norwood Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:NWFL) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Norwood Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:NWFL) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 103,904 shares, an increase of 31.0% from the February 26th total of 79,346 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 22,491 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.6 days. Approximately 1.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Insider Buying and Selling at Norwood Financial

In other Norwood Financial news, Director Joseph W. Carroll purchased 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $28.13 per share, with a total value of $112,520.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 41,503 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,167,479.39. This represents a 10.67% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director James Shook acquired 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $28.80 per share, for a total transaction of $100,800.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 8,330 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $239,904. This trade represents a 72.46% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders have acquired 9,700 shares of company stock valued at $274,770. 8.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Norwood Financial

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its holdings in Norwood Financial by 75.3% during the fourth quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 880 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 378 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in Norwood Financial by 130.7% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,061 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 601 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in Norwood Financial by 293.6% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,771 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 1,321 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of Norwood Financial by 144.5% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,100 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 1,241 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Norwood Financial by 68.9% during the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,138 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 872 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 28.08% of the company’s stock.

Norwood Financial Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:NWFL traded up $0.59 during trading on Monday, reaching $29.57. The company had a trading volume of 26,978 shares, compared to its average volume of 24,799. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $29.70 and its 200 day moving average is $28.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $322.02 million, a PE ratio of 9.89 and a beta of 0.60. Norwood Financial has a twelve month low of $21.25 and a twelve month high of $32.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90.

Norwood Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 15th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.3%. Norwood Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.81%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on NWFL shares. Zacks Research cut Norwood Financial from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Stephens set a $33.00 target price on Norwood Financial and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Wall Street Zen raised Norwood Financial from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Norwood Financial from a “hold (c)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Monday, March 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $33.00.

About Norwood Financial

Norwood Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Wayne Bank that provides various banking products and services. The company accepts a range of deposit products, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing transaction accounts, and statement savings and money market accounts, as well as certificate of deposits. It also provides commercial loans comprising lines of credit, revolving credit, term loans, mortgages, secured lending products, and letter of credit facilities; municipal finance lending; construction loans for commercial construction projects and single-family residences; land loans; construction financing; consumer loans; mortgage lending to finance principal residences and second home dwellings; and indirect dealer financing of new and used automobiles, boats, and recreational vehicles.