Q4 2024 EPS Estimates for Webster Financial Co. Lowered by Seaport Res Ptn (NYSE:WBS)

Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS) – Equities research analysts at Seaport Res Ptn decreased their Q4 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Webster Financial in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, April 24th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst L. Hunsicker now forecasts that the financial services provider will post earnings per share of $1.47 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.60. The consensus estimate for Webster Financial’s current full-year earnings is $5.72 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Webster Financial’s Q1 2025 earnings at $1.51 EPS and Q2 2025 earnings at $1.54 EPS.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.37 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $667.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $680.72 million. Webster Financial had a return on equity of 12.55% and a net margin of 21.09%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on WBS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $65.00 to $63.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Webster Financial from $57.00 to $54.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Webster Financial from $51.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Webster Financial in a report on Thursday, January 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Raymond James reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Tuesday, March 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $56.23.

Webster Financial Stock Performance

Shares of WBS opened at $45.02 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $47.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Webster Financial has a 12-month low of $31.03 and a 12-month high of $53.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.73 billion, a PE ratio of 9.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.33.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Webster Financial

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Webster Financial during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Spire Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 79.1% during the fourth quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 607 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 268 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new position in Webster Financial in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Webster Financial in the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Webster Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.58% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Webster Financial

In other news, insider Daniel Bley sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.60, for a total transaction of $95,200.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 27,955 shares in the company, valued at $1,330,658. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Webster Financial news, COO Luis Massiani sold 13,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total value of $697,005.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 89,621 shares in the company, valued at $4,627,132.23. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Daniel Bley sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.60, for a total transaction of $95,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 27,955 shares in the company, valued at $1,330,658. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 25,975 shares of company stock valued at $1,341,095 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the company’s stock.

Webster Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 16th. Investors of record on Monday, May 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 3rd. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.55%. Webster Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 32.79%.

About Webster Financial

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.