Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC) Given Consensus Rating of "Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC - Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of "Buy" from the five brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $13.58.

Separately, B. Riley upgraded Ellington Financial to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday.

Insider Activity

In related news, CIO Michael W. Vranos sold 14,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.48, for a total transaction of $174,720.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now owns 168,359 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,101,120.32. This represents a 7.68 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 4.40% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ellington Financial

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ellington Financial by 146.5% during the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 726,779 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $9,368,000 after purchasing an additional 431,945 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ellington Financial by 1,667.2% in the 2nd quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 282,746 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 266,746 shares during the period. Prevail Innovative Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Ellington Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,968,000. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Ellington Financial by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,140,371 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $40,885,000 after buying an additional 124,943 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of Ellington Financial by 230.3% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 138,440 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,784,000 after purchasing an additional 96,525 shares during the last quarter. 55.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ellington Financial Price Performance

Shares of NYSE EFC traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $12.10. 949,325 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 892,319. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.10 billion, a PE ratio of 9.24 and a beta of 1.97. Ellington Financial has a one year low of $10.88 and a one year high of $13.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.87, a current ratio of 37.04 and a quick ratio of 37.04. The company's 50 day moving average is $12.25 and its 200 day moving average is $12.59.

Ellington Financial (NYSE:EFC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $33.63 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $37.95 million. Ellington Financial had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 106.40%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.33 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Ellington Financial will post 1.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Ellington Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 31st will be given a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.89%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 31st. Ellington Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 119.08%.

Ellington Financial Company Profile

Ellington Financial Inc, through its subsidiary, Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC, acquires and manages mortgage-related, consumer-related, corporate-related, and other financial assets in the United States. The company acquires and manages residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) backed by prime jumbo, Alt-A, manufactured housing, and subprime mortgage; RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the U.S.