Ohio Valley Banc Corp. Joins Russell 3000 Index

Rhea-AI Summary

Ohio Valley Banc Corp. (NASDAQ: OVBC) has been added to the broad-market Russell 3000® Index, effective June 30, 2025, as part of the annual Russell indexes reconstitution. The inclusion automatically places OVBC in the small-cap Russell 2000® Index and corresponding growth and value style indexes.

The Russell indexes, which benchmark approximately $10.6 trillion in assets as of June 2024, are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and active investment strategies. OVBC's inclusion was determined by FTSE Russell's objective market-capitalization rankings and style attributes, capturing the 4,000 largest US stocks as of April 30.

Ohio Valley Banc Corp., headquartered in Gallipolis, Ohio, operates The Ohio Valley Bank Company with 17 offices across Ohio and West Virginia, and Loan Central, Inc., with six consumer finance offices in Ohio.

Positive

• Addition to the Russell 3000® Index increases visibility and potential institutional investment exposure
• Automatic inclusion in the Russell 2000® Index provides additional market exposure
• Company meets market capitalization requirements to be among top 4,000 US stocks

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Index Strategist

OVBC's Russell 3000 inclusion brings increased visibility, potential institutional investment, and liquidity benefits with minimal downsides.

Ohio Valley Banc Corp's addition to the Russell 3000 Index represents a significant milestone that brings several tangible benefits to the regional bank. Index inclusion triggers automatic buying from index funds and ETFs that track the Russell indexes, with approximately $10.6 trillion in assets benchmarked against these indices. This passive buying pressure often provides immediate share price support.

Beyond the initial inclusion effect, OVBC will gain substantially improved visibility to institutional investors who use Russell indexes as their investment universe. This expanded investor base typically leads to increased trading volume and improved liquidity for the stock. For a smaller regional bank with 17 offices across Ohio and West Virginia, this enhanced liquidity can narrow bid-ask spreads and reduce transaction costs for all shareholders.

The dual inclusion in both the Russell 3000 and Russell 2000 (small-cap) indexes maximizes OVBC's exposure across different investment mandates. While index inclusion doesn't directly change fundamentals, it represents external validation of the company's growth trajectory and market position. With the upcoming shift to semi-annual reconstitution in 2026, OVBC's continued index membership will depend on maintaining its market capitalization ranking relative to other US public companies.

GALLIPOLIS, Ohio, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio Valley Banc Corp. [Nasdaq: OVBC] was added as a member of the broad-market Russell 3000® Index, effective after the US market opened June 30 as part of the 2025 Russell indexes' reconstitution.

Annual reconstitution of Russell's U.S. indexes captures the 4,000 largest US stocks as of April 30, ranking them by total market capitalization. Membership in the Russell 3000® Index, which remains in place for one year, means Ohio Valley Banc Corp. is also included in the small-cap Russell 2000® Index as well as appropriate growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for its Russell indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes. Russell Index mutual funds are required to own the shares of the member companies' stock.

Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies. According to data as of the end of June 2024, about $10.6 trillion in assets are benchmarked against the Russell US indexes, which belong to FTSE Russell, the global index provider.

Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell, an LSEG business, comments: "The Russell indexes have continuously adapted to the evolving dynamic US economy, and it's crucial to fully recalibrate the suite of Russell US Indexes, ensuring the indexes maintain accurate representation of the market. The transition to a semi-annual reconstitution frequency from 2026 will ensure our indexes continue to represent the market and maintain the purpose of the index as a profitable benchmark."

Ohio Valley Banc Corp. is based in Gallipolis, Ohio. The company owns The Ohio Valley Bank Company, with 17 offices in Ohio and West Virginia, and Loan Central, Inc., with six consumer finance offices in Ohio. Learn more about Ohio Valley Banc Corp. at www.ovbc.com/shareholder.

Contact: Bryna Butler, 740-578-3400, bsbutler@ovbc.com

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SOURCE Ohio Valley Banc Corp.

FAQ

What does Ohio Valley Banc Corp's (OVBC) inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index mean?

OVBC's inclusion means it ranks among the 4,000 largest US stocks by market capitalization and will be included in index funds and investment strategies tracking the Russell indexes. The membership remains in place for one year.

When did Ohio Valley Banc Corp (OVBC) join the Russell 3000 Index?

OVBC was added to the Russell 3000® Index effective June 30, 2025, as part of the annual Russell indexes reconstitution.

How many locations does Ohio Valley Banc Corp (OVBC) operate?

Ohio Valley Banc Corp. operates 17 offices through The Ohio Valley Bank Company in Ohio and West Virginia, plus 6 consumer finance offices through Loan Central, Inc. in Ohio.

What is the significance of the Russell 3000 Index for investors?

The Russell indexes benchmark approximately $10.6 trillion in assets and are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and active investment strategies.

Will OVBC be included in other Russell indexes?

Yes, membership in the Russell 3000® Index automatically includes OVBC in the small-cap Russell 2000® Index and appropriate growth and value style indexes.