Top investors see value in this firm

Article Excerpt

MIDDLEFIELD BANC CORP. $49 (Nasdaq symbol MBCN; Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 3.2 million; Market cap: $156.8 million; Dividend yield: 2.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.middlefieldbank.com) provides personal and commercial banking services through 15 branches in northeastern and central Ohio. Activist investor Ancora Advisors, which owns about 5.5% of Middlefield stock, wants the company to sell itself or replace its management. It feels the company could fetch between $65 and $75 a share. However, its lackluster earnings growth over the past few years could limit its appeal as a takeover target. Middlefield Banc Corp. is okay to hold. hold…