During the third quarter, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in Popular, Inc. by 269.4%, acquiring an additional 15,338 shares to bring its total holding to 21,032 shares. According to the firm’s latest SEC filing, the newly acquired position was valued at approximately 2.63 million dollars as of the end of the quarter, making Allspring one of the fastest-growing institutional investors in the regional bank over the period.

Several other hedge funds and asset managers adjusted their Popular holdings in the same quarter. Ethic Inc. initiated a new position valued at roughly 653,000 dollars. Burney Co. expanded its stake by 134.3%, purchasing 27,837 additional shares to reach 48,557 shares, representing about 6.17 million dollars in exposure. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its second‐quarter share count by 60,701 shares, lifting its total to 188,960 shares (approximately 20.8 million dollars). Brendel Financial Advisors LLC and Nomura Holdings Inc. also entered new positions worth approximately 2.66 million and 3.53 million dollars, respectively. Collectively, institutional and hedge fund ownership now accounts for more than 87% of the bank’s outstanding shares.

Following these ownership developments, equities research analysts have maintained a generally positive stance on Popular. Nine analysts currently rate the stock as a buy and two as a hold, resulting in a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. The average price target stands near 134, reflecting expectations for continued earnings growth. Recent research notes include reissued overweight ratings from Barclays and Wells Fargo, a neutral rating from UBS, and an initiating buy rating from Truist Financial with its target above the consensus level.