Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC significantly boosted its stake in Popular, Inc. during the third quarter, acquiring an additional 15,338 shares to bring its total holding to 21,032 shares valued at approximately 2.63 million dollars. This 269.4% increase underscores growing confidence from one of the firm’s larger asset managers. Other notable moves included Burney Co. more than doubling its position to 48,557 shares (valued at 6.17 million dollars) following a 134.3% increase, while Acadian Asset Management LLC added 60,701 shares during the second quarter, lifting its total to 188,960 shares worth 20.82 million dollars. New entrants Ethic Inc. and Brendel Financial Advisors LLC initiated stakes valued at 653,000 dollars and 2.66 million dollars respectively, and Nomura Holdings made a second-quarter entry worth 3.53 million dollars. Collectively, institutional investors and hedge funds now control 87.27% of Popular’s outstanding shares.

Equity research firms have recently revisited their assessments of Popular’s shares. Barclays reaffirmed its overweight rating, while UBS Group maintained a neutral stance. Wells Fargo & Company trimmed its target from 150 to 135 and upheld an overweight recommendation. Truist Financial introduced coverage with a buy rating and a target of 153, and Zacks Research shifted its view from strong-buy to hold. In total, nine analysts recommend buying Popular and two suggest holding, resulting in a consensus Moderate Buy rating with an average target of 133.78.

In its latest quarterly report, Popular delivered adjusted earnings per share of 3.14, surpassing consensus expectations by 0.10. Revenue came in at 720.83 million dollars, below analyst projections, marking a 1.3% year-over-year decline. The bank achieved a net margin of 17.63% and a return on equity of 13.27%, compared with prior-year adjusted EPS of 2.16. Looking ahead, sell-side analysts forecast full-year earnings of just over 10.00 per share, reflecting continued profitability in a challenging revenue environment.

Popular declared a quarterly dividend of 0.75 per share, paid in early January to shareholders of record as of early December, representing an annualized 3.00 payout and a payout ratio of 26.55%. In insider transactions, VP Denissa Rodriguez sold 1,000 shares in November, reducing her holdings by 27.75%, while director Richard L. Carrion disposed of 25,000 shares the same month, decreasing his stake by 11.47%. Insider ownership now stands at approximately 2.09% of the company’s outstanding shares.