Institutional Buyer Adds Large Stake in Washington Trust Bancorp

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.

Major institutional buy: Nuveen picks up 95,410 shares of Washington Trust Bancorp

A large institutional investor added a new stake in Washington Trust Bancorp, buying 95,410 shares in the first quarter for about $2.94 million. That purchase brought the firm’s holding to roughly 0.49% of the bank by the end of the quarter. The move is the clearest new-money signal in the most recent round of reported institutional activity for the company.

Other big institutional moves

Several other fund managers also adjusted their positions in Washington Trust Bancorp during recent reporting periods. Key changes include:

• Vanguard Group increased its stake by 8.3% to 1,119,395 shares, worth about $34.55 million, after adding 86,062 shares in the quarter.
• Dimensional Fund Advisors raised its holding by 6.7% to 932,056 shares, valued near $29.22 million, after buying 58,176 shares.
• The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company greatly expanded its position, buying 397,255 additional shares in the fourth quarter to reach 403,749 shares, a gain of more than 6,100%, worth about $12.66 million.
• Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake by 39.3% to 295,462 shares (about $9.12 million), adding 83,311 shares.
• Millennium Management increased its position sharply in the fourth quarter, adding 219,578 shares to reach 226,355 shares, a jump of over 3,200%, worth approximately $7.10 million.

Institutional investors and hedge funds now hold about 65.81% of the company’s stock, showing that professional money manages a large share of the register.

Analyst coverage and stock view

Analysts’ views are mixed. One firm began coverage with a neutral stance and a $28 target. Another lowered its view from neutral to underweight with the same $28 target. Overall, the consensus rating sits at Hold based on the mix of one Strong Buy, two Hold ratings, and one Sell. The average analyst target price is about $29.

Recent earnings and trading data

The company last reported quarterly results on July 21. It posted $0.68 in earnings per share, beating the expected $0.63, and reported revenue of $54.26 million, slightly above estimates. Return on equity was positive at 9.05%, while net margin was negative at -6.10%. Analysts expect about 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year on average.

Dividend and shareholder payback

The bank paid a quarterly dividend that was distributed on July 11 to shareholders of record on July 1. The dividend was $0.56 per share, which annualizes to $2.24 and implies a yield near 7.4% based on recent prices. The reported dividend payout ratio is negative at -148.34%, reflecting timing and profitability factors in the calculation.

Company profile and business lines

Washington Trust Bancorp is the bank holding company for The Washington Trust Company of Westerly. It serves individuals and local businesses and reports results across two main segments: Commercial Banking and Wealth Management Services. Commercial Banking covers deposit accounts and a wide range of loans including commercial real estate, construction and development, commercial and industrial loans, residential mortgages, and consumer loans like home equity and personal installment loans.

Key market and balance-sheet facts

As of the latest data, the stock opened at $30.30 on Friday. The 52-week range runs from a low of $24.95 to a high of $40.59. Market capitalization stands near $580.55 million. Price-to-earnings is reported as -20.07 and the PEG ratio is 0.87. The company’s beta is 0.91, debt-to-equity ratio is 1.94, the current ratio is 1.05, and the quick ratio is 1.04. Short-term technical averages are close to the price with a 50-day moving average of $28.45 and a 200-day moving average of $28.88.

This report is a summary of recent filings, trading data, analyst moves, and company releases intended for information. Market data reported can be delayed and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions.

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Key facts at a glance

Item	Detail
Recent institutional buy	95,410 shares (~$2.94M)
Nuveen ownership after buy	~0.49% of company
Top institutional holders increased	Vanguard, Dimensional, Invesco, Manulife, Millennium
Institutional ownership	65.81%
Market cap	$580.55M
Last reported EPS	$0.68 (beat estimate)
Revenue (last quarter)	$54.26M
Dividend	$0.56 quarterly; annualized $2.24; yield ~7.4%
Analyst consensus	Hold; average target $29
52-week range	$24.95 – $40.59
Key ratios	P/E -20.07; PEG 0.87; D/E 1.94

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Additional Resources

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• Washington Trust Bancorp Investor Relations
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