Short Interest in Territorial Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ:TBNK) Rises By 47.5%

Territorial Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ:TBNK) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 11,800 shares, an increase of 47.5% from the February 13th total of 8,000 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 14,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Territorial Bancorp

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CSS LLC IL lifted its holdings in Territorial Bancorp by 583.5% in the 4th quarter. CSS LLC IL now owns 110,774 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,078,000 after purchasing an additional 94,566 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in Territorial Bancorp by 55.8% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 34,836 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 12,476 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP grew its stake in Territorial Bancorp by 66.8% in the 4th quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 185,250 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,802,000 after acquiring an additional 74,207 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Territorial Bancorp by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 432,371 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $4,207,000 after acquiring an additional 19,870 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Territorial Bancorp by 8.3% during the fourth quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 500,523 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $4,870,000 after purchasing an additional 38,500 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 50.35% of the company’s stock.

Territorial Bancorp Price Performance

TBNK stock traded up $0.11 on Friday, reaching $8.36. 4,350 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,523. Territorial Bancorp has a twelve month low of $6.92 and a twelve month high of $11.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $8.75 and a 200-day moving average of $9.78. The firm has a market cap of $73.84 million, a PE ratio of -16.72 and a beta of 0.59.

Territorial Bancorp (NASDAQ:TBNK) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The financial services provider reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.02) by ($0.18). Territorial Bancorp had a negative net margin of 5.74% and a negative return on equity of 1.72%.

Territorial Bancorp Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 14th were given a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 14th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Territorial Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is presently -8.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Territorial Bancorp in a report on Wednesday. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock.

Territorial Bancorp Company Profile

Territorial Bancorp Inc operates as the holding company for Territorial Savings Bank that engages in the provision of various financial services to individuals, families, and businesses in the State of Hawaii. The company offers a range of deposit accounts, including passbook and statement savings, money market, commercial and regular checking, and Super NOW accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.