Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Sees Large Volume Increase – Here’s What Happened

Shares of Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 11,399 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 10% from the previous session’s volume of 12,695 shares.The stock last traded at $13.49 and had previously closed at $12.81.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on GHLD. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Guild from an “underweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $12.50 to $12.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Compass Point upped their target price on shares of Guild from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Guild currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $16.50.

Guild Trading Up 1.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.06 and a quick ratio of 0.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $839.11 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.75, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.79. The business has a 50 day moving average of $13.28 and a 200 day moving average of $13.74.

Guild Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 14.75%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 17th. Guild’s payout ratio is presently 64.94%.

Institutional Trading of Guild

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Guild by 419.9% during the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 125,311 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,768,000 after acquiring an additional 101,209 shares in the last quarter. Bayview Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Guild by 6.4% during the 4th quarter. Bayview Asset Management LLC now owns 1,595,844 shares of the company’s stock valued at $22,517,000 after purchasing an additional 95,327 shares in the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Guild by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 628,650 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,870,000 after purchasing an additional 31,540 shares during the period. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. increased its stake in Guild by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 674,805 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,521,000 after purchasing an additional 20,848 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC increased its stake in Guild by 57.5% during the 4th quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 16,799 shares of the company’s stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 6,134 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 17.52% of the company’s stock.

About Guild

Guild Holdings Company originates, sells, and services residential mortgage loans in the United States. It operates in two segments, Origination and Servicing. The company offers residential mortgages through retail and correspondent channels. Guild Holdings Company was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.