Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Trading Up 5% – Still a Buy?

Shares of Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD) were up 5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $13.16 and last traded at $13.16. Approximately 2,484 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 12,587 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.53.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Guild from an “underweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $12.50 to $12.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Compass Point increased 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Guild currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $16.50.

Guild Stock Up 2.6 %

The company has a market cap of $795.78 million, a PE ratio of -8.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.79. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $13.23 and a 200-day moving average of $13.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92.

Guild Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 17th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 15.56%. Guild’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 64.94%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Guild

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GHLD. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. raised its position in Guild by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 344,742 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,864,000 after purchasing an additional 1,535 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in shares of Guild by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,421 shares of the company’s stock valued at $316,000 after buying an additional 1,709 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Guild by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 98,244 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,634,000 after buying an additional 1,901 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted 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 buying an additional 2,421 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC grew 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 acquiring an additional 6,134 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.