Fidus Investment Co. (NASDAQ:FDUS) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

Fidus Investment Co. (NASDAQ:FDUS) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 225,500 shares, a drop of 38.3% from the February 28th total of 365,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 207,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.7% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH downgraded Fidus Investment from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th.

Fidus Investment Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FDUS traded down $0.14 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $20.56. 275,312 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 214,734. Fidus Investment has a 52 week low of $18.41 and a 52 week high of $23.55. The firm has a market cap of $697.29 million, a PE ratio of 7.34 and a beta of 1.39. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $22.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $20.97.

Fidus Investment Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a — dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were given a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 20th. This represents a dividend yield of 7.4%. Fidus Investment’s payout ratio is 71.37%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fidus Investment in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Promus Capital LLC purchased a new position in Fidus Investment in the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC bought a new position in Fidus Investment in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $59,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in Fidus Investment during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $77,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Fidus Investment during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Institutional investors own 28.14% of the company’s stock.

About Fidus Investment

Fidus Investment Corporation is a business development company. It specializing in leveraged buyouts, refinancings, change of ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, mezzanine, growth capital, business expansion, lower middle market investments, debt investments, subordinated and second lien loans, senior secured and unitranche debt, preferred equity, warrants, subordinated debt, senior subordinated notes, junior secured loans, and unitranche loans.