Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Stock Price Down 3.2% – Time to Sell?

Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD) dropped 3.2% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $14.90 and last traded at $14.86. Approximately 1,884 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 12,005 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.35.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GHLD has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped 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. Compass Point boosted their price objective on shares of Guild from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $16.60.

Guild Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $912.77 million, a PE ratio of -9.51, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $13.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.95.

Guild Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 13.56%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 17th. Guild’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 64.94%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Guild

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Guild by 18.6% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 15,441 shares of the company’s stock worth $218,000 after buying an additional 2,421 shares during the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its position in Guild by 57.5% during the fourth quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 16,799 shares of the company’s stock valued at $237,000 after buying an additional 6,134 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings 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 during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Guild by 2.0% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 98,244 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,634,000 after purchasing an additional 1,901 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Guild by 419.9% in 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 during the last quarter. 17.52% of the stock is 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.