Weiss Asset Management LP Takes $1.98 Million Position in Columbia Banking System, Inc. $COLB

Weiss Asset Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ:COLB) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 72,240 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,982,000.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of COLB. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its stake in Columbia Banking System by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 5,949 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $166,000 after acquiring an additional 348 shares during the period. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Columbia Banking System by 25.8% in the first quarter. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,945 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 399 shares during the period. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Columbia Banking System by 0.6% during the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 71,041 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,949,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Kera Capital Partners Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Columbia Banking System by 5.7% during the first quarter. Kera Capital Partners Inc. now owns 7,894 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $217,000 after purchasing an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its position in Columbia Banking System by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 38,350 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,072,000 after purchasing an additional 444 shares during the period. 92.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Columbia Banking System news, CMO Devine David Moore sold 3,872 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.77, for a total transaction of $115,269.44. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 18,636 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $554,793.72. The trade was a 17.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.57% of the company’s stock.

Columbia Banking System Stock Performance

COLB opened at $31.15 on Monday. Columbia Banking System, Inc. has a 1-year low of $22.77 and a 1-year high of $33.67. The company has a market capitalization of $9.02 billion, a PE ratio of 12.41, a PEG ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.62. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $30.99 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $29.71.

Columbia Banking System (NASDAQ:COLB) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.03. Columbia Banking System had a net margin of 19.96% and a return on equity of 11.33%. The business had revenue of $680.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $687.40 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.76 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Columbia Banking System, Inc. will post 3.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Columbia Banking System Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 15th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th were given a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.8%. Columbia Banking System’s payout ratio is 58.96%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on COLB shares. Fundamental Research set a $35.00 target price on shares of Columbia Banking System in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Columbia Banking System from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 25th. Weiss Ratings raised Columbia Banking System from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday. Barclays raised their price target on Columbia Banking System from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Columbia Banking System from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $33.27.

Trending Headlines about Columbia Banking System

Here are the key news stories impacting Columbia Banking System this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Columbia Banking System reported Q2 2026 earnings of $0.76 per share, beating estimates of $0.73 and matching last year’s EPS, while management said the results reflect resilient franchise performance and disciplined execution. Columbia Banking System, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Higher net interest income and fee income helped offset expense pressure and weaker loan/deposit balances, reinforcing the earnings beat and supporting the stock. Columbia Banking Q2 Earnings Top Estimates on Higher NII & Fee Income
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts responded favorably after the results, with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, RBC, and Stephens all raising price targets to $35-$36, signaling improved expectations for COLB. Benzinga analyst updates
• Positive Sentiment: The company completed a $497 million buyback, which can support earnings per share and is typically viewed positively by investors. Columbia Banking System (COLB) Completes $497 Million Buyback As Q2 Earnings Arrive
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue came in slightly below Wall Street expectations, so the earnings beat was not broad-based across all top-line metrics. Earnings report and conference call materials
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data showed no meaningful change, so it does not appear to be a driver of the stock’s move today.

Columbia Banking System Profile

Columbia Banking System, Inc is a bank holding company that operates through its principal subsidiary, Columbia State Bank. Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, the company provides a full range of banking and financial services to commercial, small business and consumer customers. Its branch network is concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, with locations across Washington, Oregon and Idaho, where it aims to combine local decision-making with the resources of a larger institution.

The company’s offerings include commercial real estate lending, construction and development financing, equipment and small business loans, and deposit products such as checking, savings and money market accounts.