Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF) Short Interest Update

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,360,000 shares, an increase of 7.8% from the November 30th total of 2,190,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,050,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Approximately 0.9% of the company's shares are short sold.

Fidelity National Financial Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of FNF stock traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $56.14. 532,828 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,186,139. Fidelity National Financial has a 52 week low of $46.85 and a 52 week high of $64.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The business has a 50 day moving average of $59.92 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.49. The company has a market capitalization of $15.36 billion, a PE ratio of 20.41 and a beta of 1.36.

Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.41 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $3.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.32 billion. Fidelity National Financial had a return on equity of 13.72% and a net margin of 5.57%. Fidelity National Financial's revenue for the quarter was up 29.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.23 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Fidelity National Financial will post 4.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Fidelity National Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 17th were given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 17th. This is a positive change from Fidelity National Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. Fidelity National Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 72.73%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Sandra Douglass Morgan sold 2,092 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.33, for a total value of $117,842.36. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 32,386 shares in the company, valued at $1,824,303.38. This trade represents a 6.07 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 5.20% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fidelity National Financial

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of FNF. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Fidelity National Financial in the third quarter worth $32,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Fidelity National Financial during the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fidelity National Financial during the 3rd quarter worth about $41,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 280.6% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 685 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 141.1% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 687 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.17% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on FNF. Barclays raised their target price on Fidelity National Financial from $56.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Fidelity National Financial from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Fidelity National Financial from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $63.80.

About Fidelity National Financial

Fidelity National Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various insurance products in the United States. The company operates through Title, F&G, and Corporate and Other segments. It offers title insurance, escrow, and other title related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances, and home warranty products.