Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Trading Up 5.3% – What’s Next?

Shares of Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD) shot up 5.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $13.96 and last traded at $13.96. 7,374 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 37% from the average session volume of 11,793 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.26.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Compass Point increased their target price on Guild from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Guild from $11.50 to $12.50 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $16.60.

Guild Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $984.27 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.26, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.98. 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 50 day moving average price of $12.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.00.

Guild Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.58%. The ex-dividend date is 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. Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in Guild by 18.6% in the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 15,441 shares of the company’s stock worth $218,000 after acquiring an additional 2,421 shares during the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of Guild by 8.3% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,421 shares of the company’s stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 1,709 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Guild by 2.0% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 98,244 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,634,000 after buying an additional 1,901 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC raised its stake in Guild by 419.9% in the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 125,311 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,768,000 after buying an additional 101,209 shares in the last quarter. 17.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Guild Company Profile

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.