Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLF) Now Covered by StockNews.com

Equities research analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLF) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday. The brokerage set a “hold” rating on the bank’s stock.

Heartland Financial USA Stock Performance

NASDAQ:HTLF opened at $65.58 on Friday. Heartland Financial USA has a 12-month low of $29.67 and a 12-month high of $69.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.81 billion, a PE ratio of 36.64 and a beta of 0.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $58.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $51.40.

Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The bank reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.17. Heartland Financial USA had a net margin of 8.79% and a return on equity of 10.81%. The firm had revenue of $272.79 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $189.51 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.12 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Heartland Financial USA will post 4.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Heartland Financial USA

In other news, Director John K. Schmidt sold 22,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.32, for a total transaction of $1,537,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 60,541 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,136,161.12. This trade represents a 27.10 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Heartland Financial USA

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. USA Financial Formulas grew its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 28.0% during the third quarter. USA Financial Formulas now owns 1,060 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 2.2% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 11,378 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $506,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 0.8% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 30,978 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $1,756,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 8.5% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 7,600 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $267,000 after purchasing an additional 598 shares during the last quarter. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 4.7% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 22,119 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $983,000 after purchasing an additional 984 shares during the last quarter. 71.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Heartland Financial USA

Heartland Financial USA, Inc, a bank holding company, provides commercial, small business, and consumer banking services to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking, demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, savings, money market, and individual retirement; certificates of deposit; and other time deposits.