Short Interest in Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE:WHG) Increases By 58.5%

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE:WHG) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,400 shares, an increase of 58.5% from the January 31st total of 5,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 15,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Westwood Holdings Group

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in Westwood Holdings Group by 180.7% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,054 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 1,966 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Westwood Holdings Group during the 4th quarter valued at $146,000. GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. bought a new stake in shares of Westwood Holdings Group during the 4th quarter worth $160,000. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Westwood Holdings Group by 11.9% during the 3rd quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,427 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $294,000 after acquiring an additional 2,178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 683 Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Westwood Holdings Group in the 4th quarter worth $322,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.64% of the company’s stock.

Westwood Holdings Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WHG traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $15.34. 20,047 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,061. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $15.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.87. The company has a market cap of $142.20 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.34 and a beta of 1.13. Westwood Holdings Group has a 52 week low of $11.01 and a 52 week high of $18.03.

Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE:WHG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The asset manager reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Westwood Holdings Group had a return on equity of 2.66% and a net margin of 2.33%.

Westwood Holdings Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.91%. Westwood Holdings Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 240.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com raised Westwood Holdings Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th.

Westwood Holdings Group Company Profile

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manages investment assets and provides services for its clients. The company operates in two segments, Advisory and Trust. The Advisory segment provides investment advisory services to corporate retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations, individuals, and the Westwood Funds; and investment sub-advisory services to mutual funds, pooled investment vehicles, and its Trust segment.