JMP Securities Issues Pessimistic Forecast for MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA) Stock Price

MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA) had its price objective lowered by JMP Securities from $12.50 to $12.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “market outperform” rating on the real estate investment trust’s stock. JMP Securities’ target price indicates a potential upside of 33.56% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Janney Montgomery Scott assumed coverage on MFA Financial in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $14.00 price target for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of MFA Financial from $13.50 to $12.50 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 20th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of MFA Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $13.60.

MFA Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MFA opened at $8.99 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $921.18 million, a P/E ratio of 11.09 and a beta of 1.61. MFA Financial has a 1 year low of $7.85 and a 1 year high of $13.45. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $10.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.75.

MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.02). MFA Financial had a return on equity of 9.61% and a net margin of 16.47%. The company had revenue of $50.80 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $58.06 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that MFA Financial will post 1.5 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MFA Financial

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new position in MFA Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of MFA Financial by 823.4% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 3,278 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 2,923 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new position in MFA Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $36,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in MFA Financial during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in MFA Financial during the 4th quarter worth approximately $104,000. 65.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About MFA Financial

MFA Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment trust in the United States. It invests in residential mortgage securities, including non-agency mortgage-backed securities, agency MBS, and credit risk transfer securities; residential whole loans, including purchased performing loans, purchased credit deteriorated, and non-performing loans; and mortgage servicing rights related assets.