Fidus Investment (NASDAQ:FDUS) Sets New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

Fidus Investment Co. (NASDAQ:FDUS) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $21.12 and last traded at $21.11, with a volume of 12376 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $20.97.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Fidus Investment to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, August 5th.

Fidus Investment Stock Performance

The stock’s 50-day moving average is $19.81 and its 200 day moving average is $19.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $714.36 million, a PE ratio of 7.52 and a beta of 1.40.

Fidus Investment (NASDAQ:FDUS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The asset manager reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.04. Fidus Investment had a net margin of 60.09% and a return on equity of 12.11%. The company had revenue of $38.38 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $36.43 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.68 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Fidus Investment Co. will post 2.28 earnings per share for the current year.

Fidus Investment Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.61 per share. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.59%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 17th. This is an increase from Fidus Investment’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Fidus Investment’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.43%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fidus Investment

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Fidus Investment during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Fidus Investment during the third quarter worth about $59,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fidus Investment during the first quarter worth about $73,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in Fidus Investment by 23.6% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 7,467 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $146,000 after acquiring an additional 1,426 shares during the period. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in Fidus Investment by 20.0% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,866 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $251,000 after acquiring an additional 2,140 shares during the last quarter. 28.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.