Zacks Research Upgrades Virtu Financial (NYSE:VIRT) to “Strong-Buy”

Virtu Financial (NYSE:VIRT) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report released on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Virtu Financial’s Q3 2026 earnings at $1.15 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.25 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $6.13 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $6.14 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.44 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.35 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.36 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.43 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.48 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.49 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.74 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.73 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.71 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.39 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.30 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.31 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $5.48 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $5.43 EPS.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on VIRT. Wall Street Zen downgraded Virtu Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Virtu Financial from $39.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Virtu Financial in a report on Wednesday. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Virtu Financial from $61.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Virtu Financial from $51.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $58.80.

Virtu Financial Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of Virtu Financial stock opened at $66.96 on Wednesday. Virtu Financial has a fifty-two week low of $31.55 and a fifty-two week high of $68.68. The firm has a market cap of $10.39 billion, a PE ratio of 11.12, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 0.60. The business’s fifty day moving average is $60.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.89. The company has a quick ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87.

Virtu Financial (NYSE:VIRT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 14th. The company reported $1.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $984.69 million for the quarter. Virtu Financial had a return on equity of 49.06% and a net margin of 13.50%.Virtu Financial has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.820-1.820 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Virtu Financial will post 6.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Joseph J. Grano, Jr. sold 8,400 shares of Virtu Financial stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.94, for a total value of $511,896.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 33,814 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,060,625.16. The trade was a 19.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director John Nixon sold 9,094 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.13, for a total value of $546,822.22. Following the sale, the director owned 30,902 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,858,137.26. The trade was a 22.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 46.76% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of VIRT. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Virtu Financial by 480.6% during the fourth quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 836 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 692 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Virtu Financial by 103.8% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 760 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 387 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Virtu Financial by 51.9% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 972 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 332 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Virtu Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Virtu Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.78% of the company’s stock.

Virtu Financial News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Virtu Financial this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Upward earnings revisions: Zacks Research raised its FY2027 EPS forecast to $5.74 from $5.73 and its FY2028 forecast to $5.48 from $5.43. The firm also increased its estimates for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of FY2027, as well as Q2 FY2028, by $0.01 to $0.02 per share. These revisions indicate slightly improved expectations for Virtu’s future profitability. Virtu Financial analyst estimate revisions
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks momentum and Strong Buy recognition: Virtu was added to Zacks’ Rank #1 (Strong Buy) lists for both momentum and new Strong Buy stocks on August 27. This could attract additional momentum-oriented investor interest, although it contrasts with Zacks Research’s separate Hold rating. Best Momentum Stocks to Buy for August 27th New Strong Buy Stocks for August 27th
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation discussion: A Zacks comparison of Virtu and Moody’s examines which stock offers better value, but the article does not provide a clear new company-specific catalyst in the supplied information. VIRT vs. MCO: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
• Neutral Sentiment: On-chain repo transaction: The reported completion of a fully on-chain repo transaction using a sovereign digital bond may highlight broader financial-market infrastructure trends, but no direct impact on Virtu’s operations or earnings was identified. First Fully Onchain Repo Transaction Completed Using a Sovereign Digital Bond

Virtu Financial Company Profile

Virtu Financial, Inc is a technology-driven electronic trading firm and market maker that provides liquidity and price discovery across a wide range of financial instruments. Leveraging advanced analytics, high-performance computing and proprietary algorithms, Virtu operates in equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, commodities and derivative products. Its technology platform is designed to capture bid-ask spreads in real time, manage risk through automated controls and adapt to changing market conditions.

The company offers a suite of execution services and market-making solutions to institutional clients such as asset managers, banks, broker-dealers and hedge funds.