StockNews.com Begins Coverage on Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLF)

Stock analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLF) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday. The brokerage set a “hold” rating on the bank’s stock.

Heartland Financial USA Stock Down 2.2 %

HTLF stock opened at $64.67 on Tuesday. Heartland Financial USA has a 12 month low of $32.03 and a 12 month high of $70.27. The firm has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a PE ratio of 36.13 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $60.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76.

Insider Activity at Heartland Financial USA

In related news, Director Jennifer K. Hopkins sold 5,811 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.56, for a total value of $392,591.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,963 shares in the company, valued at approximately $470,420.28. This represents a 45.49 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Mark A. Frank sold 432 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.24, for a total transaction of $29,047.68. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,060 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $71,274.40. This trade represents a 28.95 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Heartland Financial USA

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC lifted its position in Heartland Financial USA by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC now owns 8,702 shares of the bank’s stock worth $533,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 30,978 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,756,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. Steele Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Steele Capital Management Inc. now owns 10,496 shares of the bank’s stock worth $643,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 41,342 shares of the bank’s stock worth $2,534,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its stake in shares of Heartland Financial USA by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 6,837 shares of the bank’s stock worth $419,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.55% of the company’s stock.

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.