Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ:VRTS) Price Target Lowered to $112.00 at Morgan Stanley

Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ:VRTS) had its target price decreased by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $128.00 to $112.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “underweight” rating on the closed-end fund’s stock. Morgan Stanley’s price target would suggest a potential downside of 16.43% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. TD Cowen decreased their price target on Virtus Investment Partners from $132.00 to $131.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 4th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Virtus Investment Partners from $128.00 to $125.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Virtus Investment Partners from $181.00 to $170.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Virtus Investment Partners has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $134.50.

Virtus Investment Partners Stock Down 4.4%

Shares of NASDAQ VRTS traded down $6.16 on Tuesday, hitting $134.03. The company had a trading volume of 23,165 shares, compared to its average volume of 99,893. The company has a quick ratio of 11.86, a current ratio of 11.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Virtus Investment Partners has a 12-month low of $121.61 and a 12-month high of $215.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $895.56 million, a P/E ratio of 7.95 and a beta of 1.41. The business has a 50 day moving average of $136.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $150.63.

Insider Activity at Virtus Investment Partners

In other Virtus Investment Partners news, Director W Howard Morris purchased 2,150 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $129.34 per share, with a total value of $278,081.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 2,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $258,680. This represents a -1,433.33% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 6.40% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Investment Partners

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Virtus Investment Partners during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,058,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Virtus Investment Partners by 73.1% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 27,229 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $3,658,000 after buying an additional 11,500 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its position in Virtus Investment Partners by 135.4% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 30,963 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $4,160,000 after buying an additional 17,811 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in Virtus Investment Partners by 38.1% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 52,930 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $7,111,000 after buying an additional 14,600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Virtus Investment Partners by 2.7% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 305,115 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $40,990,000 after acquiring an additional 7,987 shares during the period. 80.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Virtus Investment Partners

Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a publicly traded investment management company headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. The firm offers a broad range of investment solutions to institutional, high-net-wealth, and retail investors, drawing on the expertise of multiple affiliated investment teams. Since its founding in 1995, Virtus has grown by integrating specialized asset managers and expanding its product lineup, while maintaining a focus on active management across diverse market environments.

The company’s product suite encompasses mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), collective trusts, UCITS funds, and separately managed accounts.