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

Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 25,514 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 117% from the previous session’s volume of 11,775 shares.The stock last traded at $13.51 and had previously closed at $14.43.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GHLD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Compass Point raised their price objective on Guild from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Guild from $11.50 to $12.50 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $16.60.

Guild Stock Up 1.5 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $832.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $12.80 and a 200 day moving average of $14.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92.

Guild Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 14.88%. Guild’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 64.94%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Guild

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bayview Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Guild by 6.4% during the fourth quarter. Bayview Asset Management LLC now owns 1,595,844 shares of the company’s stock valued at $22,517,000 after acquiring an additional 95,327 shares in the last quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. boosted its holdings in Guild by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 674,805 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,521,000 after purchasing an additional 20,848 shares during the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its stake in Guild by 5.3% during 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 in the last quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. increased its holdings in Guild by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 344,742 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,864,000 after purchasing an additional 1,535 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Guild by 419.9% in the 4th quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 125,311 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,768,000 after purchasing an additional 101,209 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other 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.