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.
Nuveen Adds a Large Stake in Washington Trust Bancorp; Multiple Funds Adjust Positions
Key takeaway: Nuveen LLC established a new position in Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ:WASH) in the first quarter by buying 95,410 shares, a stake valued at about $2.944 million. The move made Nuveen roughly 0.49% owner of the company at quarter end.
Who moved and how much
Alongside Nuveen’s purchase, several large institutional investors changed their holdings in Washington Trust Bancorp during recent reporting periods:
- Vanguard Group increased its stake by 8.3% in the first quarter and now holds 1,119,395 shares worth about $34.545 million.
- Dimensional Fund Advisors lifted its position by 6.7% in the fourth quarter to 932,056 shares, valued at roughly $29.22 million.
- The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position dramatically in the fourth quarter, adding 397,255 shares — a change of over 6,117% — and ending with 403,749 shares valued at about $12.658 million.
- Invesco Ltd. increased its stake by 39.3% in the first quarter and now owns 295,462 shares worth about $9.118 million.
- Millennium Management raised its position by 3,240% in the fourth quarter and now holds 226,355 shares valued at about $7.096 million.
Overall institutional ownership and analyst coverage
Institutional investors and hedge funds hold roughly 65.81% of Washington Trust Bancorp’s stock. New or updated analyst coverage appeared in recent weeks, with one firm initiating coverage and others changing ratings:
- One firm began coverage and gave a neutral rating with a $28.00 target.
- Another firm downgraded the stock from neutral to underweight, keeping a $28.00 target.
- Across analysts, there is one Strong Buy, two Hold, and one Sell, producing an average market view of Hold and an average target price near $29.00.
Recent results and market snapshot
In its last reported quarter (reported July 21), the company posted earnings per share of $0.68, beating the consensus of $0.63. Revenue for the quarter was $54.26 million, slightly above expectations. Return on equity stood at 9.05%, while the company showed a negative net margin of -6.10%. Analysts expect about 2.76 earnings per share for the fiscal year on average.
Market data shows shares opened at $30.30 on the referenced Friday. The 52-week range is between $24.95 and $40.59. The firm’s market capitalization is roughly $580.55 million. Key metrics include a P/E ratio of -20.07, PEG of 0.87, beta of 0.91, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94.
Dividend, balance sheet and business lines
The company declared a quarterly dividend that was paid on July 11. Shareholders of record on July 1 received $0.56 per share, equal to a $2.24 annualized payout and a yield around 7.4% based on those figures. The dividend payout ratio is currently shown as -148.34%, reflecting the firm’s recent profit and accounting mix.
Washington Trust Bancorp operates as the holding company for a community bank and provides banking and wealth services through two main segments: Commercial Banking and Wealth Management Services. Offerings include deposit accounts, commercial and retail lending, construction and development loans, residential mortgage lending, and consumer loan products including home equity lines and personal loans.
Data, reporting and disclaimers
The information in this report was compiled from a securities disclosure and a market data summary. Market values were noted as being updated frequently, and some data can be delayed. The data is presented for informational purposes and should not be taken as trading advice. Contact details for the data provider were listed in the original report for readers who want further detail.
FAQ
What did Nuveen buy?
Nuveen LLC bought 95,410 shares of Washington Trust Bancorp in the first quarter, valued at about $2.944 million.
How much of the company is owned by institutions?
Institutional investors and hedge funds own about 65.81% of the company’s stock.
Did the company report earnings recently?
Yes. In the most recent quarter, the company reported $0.68 earnings per share and $54.26 million in revenue.
What is the dividend and yield?
The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.56, equal to $2.24 annually and a yield around 7.4%.
What are the main risks highlighted by metrics?
Key items to watch include a negative net margin in the recent quarter and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. The P/E shown is negative due to recent earnings patterns.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nuveen Purchase | 95,410 shares (~$2.944M, ~0.49% ownership) |
| Major Institutional Moves | Vanguard 1,119,395 shares; Dimensional 932,056; Invesco 295,462; Millennium 226,355; Manulife 403,749 |
| Latest EPS / Revenue | $0.68 EPS; $54.26M revenue (quarter) |
| Dividend | $0.56 quarterly / $2.24 annually; ~7.4% yield |
| Market Snapshot | Open $30.30; 52-week low/high $24.95 / $40.59; Market cap ~$580.55M |
| Valuation & Ratios | P/E -20.07; PEG 0.87; Debt/Equity 1.94; ROE 9.05% |
| Ownership | Institutions & hedge funds ~65.81% |
| Business Lines | Commercial Banking; Wealth Management Services |
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
