Westerly, Rhode Island, August 31, 2025
News Summary
An institutional investor established a significant new position in Washington Trust Bancorp, purchasing 95,410 shares valued at roughly $2.94 million and representing about 0.49% of the company. The move comes alongside other large managers increasing exposure—Vanguard, Invesco, Dimensional, Millennium and The Manufacturers Life all added shares—bringing institutional ownership to about 65.81%. Analysts remain mixed with a consensus Hold and a $29 average target. The bank beat recent EPS and revenue estimates and pays a high-yield quarterly dividend, making upcoming results and further institutional flows key drivers for the stock.
Institutional Buying and Mixed Analyst Views Shape Outlook for Washington Trust Bancorp
A large institutional buyer added a new stake in Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:WASH) this year, while several other money managers boosted their holdings and analysts offered mixed ratings. The biggest single move reported for the most recent quarter was a purchase of 95,410 shares valued at about $2.94 million, representing roughly 0.49% of the company’s outstanding stock at quarter end.
Key institutional moves
Several well-known investment firms increased their positions during recent quarters, highlighting steady institutional interest in the regional bank. Major holdings and moves reported include:
- Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake by 8.3% in the first quarter and now holds 1,119,395 shares worth about $34.55 million, after adding 86,062 shares.
- Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position by 6.7% in the fourth quarter to 932,056 shares valued at roughly $29.22 million after buying 58,176 shares.
- The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company recorded a very large percentage increase in the fourth quarter and now owns 403,749 shares, adding 397,255 shares to reach a value near $12.66 million.
- Invesco Ltd. grew its stake by 39.3% in the first quarter and now holds 295,462 shares worth about $9.12 million after adding 83,311 shares.
- Millennium Management LLC reported a sizable increase in the fourth quarter and now owns 226,355 shares, up by 219,578 shares and valued at approximately $7.10 million.
Institutional investors and hedge funds now own about 65.81% of the company’s stock, reflecting significant professional investor interest.
Analyst coverage and sentiment
Coverage from sell-side analysts shows a mixed picture. One firm began coverage with a neutral recommendation and a $28.00 price target, while another lowered its rating from neutral to underweight with the same $28.00 target. Overall, the stock’s consensus rating averages out to Hold with an average target price near $29.00. Analyst tallies include one Strong Buy, two Hold ratings, and one Sell.
Recent results and payout
The company last reported quarterly results covering the period that ended recently. Reported earnings per share were $0.68, beating the consensus estimate of $0.63. Quarterly revenue came in at about $54.26 million, slightly above expectations. Return on equity stands at 9.05%, though net margin for the period was negative 6.10%, which helps explain a reported negative payout ratio figure.
The bank distributes a quarterly cash dividend. The most recent dividend paid was $0.56 per share, which annualizes to $2.24 and implies a dividend yield of roughly 7.4% based on the reported figures. The payout ratio appears negative due to the company’s reported profitability metrics for the period.
Market snapshot and valuation metrics
On the most recent trading day covered, shares opened at $30.30. The stock has traded between a one-year low of $24.95 and a one-year high of $40.59. Market capitalization is roughly $580.55 million. Key valuation and balance-sheet ratios include a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of about -20.07, a price-to-earnings-growth (PEG) ratio near 0.87, a beta of 0.91, and a debt-to-equity ratio around 1.94. Short-term liquidity measures show a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The 50-day and 200-day moving averages are close to $28.45 and $28.88, respectively.
Business profile and product lines
The company operates as a bank holding company offering banking and wealth-management services to individuals and businesses. Operations are grouped into two main segments: Commercial Banking and Wealth Management Services. The commercial side provides deposit accounts, business and consumer lending—ranging from commercial mortgages and construction loans to residential real estate and consumer loans such as home equity lines and personal installment loans.
What this means for investors
Institutional buying and the presence of large asset managers suggest professional interest in the stock, while mixed analyst ratings and a negative net margin point to caution. Recent earnings beat modestly and a substantial dividend yield make the shares notable for income-focused investors, but valuation metrics and profitability signals warrant close attention. Investors should weigh dividend yield and institutional backing against earnings stability and solvency indicators before considering a position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What recent institutional purchase was reported?
The largest newly reported purchase was 95,410 shares acquired during the first quarter, valued at approximately $2.94 million and representing about 0.49% of outstanding shares at quarter end.
How concentrated is ownership among institutions?
Institutional investors and hedge funds hold roughly 65.81% of the company’s stock, indicating substantial institutional ownership.
How did the bank perform in its last reported quarter?
Last quarter the bank reported earnings per share of $0.68 on revenue of $54.26 million, modestly beating estimates. Return on equity was 9.05% while the net margin was negative 6.10%.
What is the dividend and yield?
The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share, annualizing to $2.24 and implying a yield around 7.4% based on reported data.
What are current analyst views?
Analyst coverage is mixed: the consensus rating averages to Hold, with one Strong Buy, two Hold ratings, and one Sell. Average price targets are near $29.00.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Latest large purchase | 95,410 shares (~$2.94M) |
| Total institutional ownership | 65.81% |
| Most recent EPS | $0.68 (beat $0.63 est.) |
| Most recent revenue | $54.26 million |
| Dividend | $0.56 quarterly ($2.24 annualized) — yield ~7.4% |
| Market cap | $580.55 million |
| Valuation | P/E: -20.07, PEG: 0.87 |
| 1-year range | $24.95 — $40.59 |
| Analyst consensus | Hold; avg. target $29.00 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Yahoo Finance: WASH
- Wikipedia: Washington Trust Bancorp
- Nasdaq: WASH
- Google Search: Washington Trust Bancorp
- SEC EDGAR Search: Washington Trust Bancorp
- Google Scholar: Washington Trust Bancorp
- Washington Trust Bancorp Investor Relations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Washington Trust Bancorp
- MarketBeat: WASH
- Google News: Washington Trust Bancorp
