Radian Group Inc. (NYSE:RDN) Short Interest Update

Radian Group Inc. (NYSE:RDN) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 12,390,000 shares, a growth of 41.1% from the February 13th total of 8,780,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,260,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 9.8 days. Currently, 8.7% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Radian Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:RDN opened at $31.52 on Tuesday. Radian Group has a 1-year low of $29.17 and a 1-year high of $37.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.57 billion, a PE ratio of 8.02, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.04. The business’s 50 day moving average is $32.62 and its 200-day moving average is $33.62. The company has a current ratio of 2.87, a quick ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Radian Group (NYSE:RDN) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.17. Radian Group had a return on equity of 13.96% and a net margin of 46.85%. Sell-side analysts predict that Radian Group will post 3.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Radian Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.255 per share. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This is an increase from Radian Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Radian Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on RDN. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on Radian Group from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Radian Group from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $36.80.

Insider Buying and Selling at Radian Group

In other Radian Group news, Director Gregory Serio sold 4,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.65, for a total value of $133,865.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 344 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,231.60. This trade represents a 92.26 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 2.16% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Radian Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RDN. Norges Bank bought a new position in Radian Group in the 4th quarter valued at $73,693,000. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in Radian Group by 20.6% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 10,766,237 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $341,505,000 after purchasing an additional 1,836,020 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in Radian Group by 109.1% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 901,260 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $28,588,000 after purchasing an additional 470,158 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Radian Group in the 4th quarter valued at $9,564,000. Finally, Vest Financial LLC raised its position in Radian Group by 35.4% in the 4th quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 1,092,054 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $34,640,000 after purchasing an additional 285,481 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.33% of the company’s stock.

Radian Group Company Profile

Radian Group Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mortgage and real estate services business in the United States. It operates through two segments, Mortgage Insurance and Homegenius segments. The Mortgage Insurance segment aggregates, manages, and distributes U.S. mortgage credit risk for mortgage lending institutions and mortgage credit investors, through private mortgage insurance on residential first-lien mortgage loans; and other credit risk management solutions, including contract underwriting.