Gator Capital Management LLC Boosts Holdings in Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTS)

Gator Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTS - Free Report) by 14.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,915 shares of the closed-end fund's stock after buying an additional 2,590 shares during the period. Virtus Investment Partners comprises approximately 1.7% of Gator Capital Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Gator Capital Management LLC owned about 0.30% of Virtus Investment Partners worth $4,613,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Virtus Investment Partners by 22.6% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,304 shares of the closed-end fund's stock worth $901,000 after purchasing an additional 794 shares during the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC increased its position in shares of Virtus Investment Partners by 219.0% in the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 3,688 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $772,000 after acquiring an additional 2,532 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Virtus Investment Partners by 21.5% in the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,157 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $242,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the period. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Virtus Investment Partners during the third quarter worth about $482,000. Finally, Point72 DIFC Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Virtus Investment Partners by 57.2% during the third quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 610 shares of the closed-end fund's stock worth $128,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. 80.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Virtus Investment Partners Stock Up 2.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ:VRTS traded up $3.30 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $151.33. The company's stock had a trading volume of 13,680 shares, compared to its average volume of 40,207. The company has a quick ratio of 11.86, a current ratio of 11.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $176.18 and a 200-day moving average of $206.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.96 and a beta of 1.36. Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. has a 12-month low of $144.13 and a 12-month high of $252.82.

Virtus Investment Partners Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 30th will be paid a dividend of $2.25 per share. This represents a $9.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.95%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 30th. Virtus Investment Partners's dividend payout ratio is 53.25%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VRTS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Virtus Investment Partners from $211.00 to $198.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Virtus Investment Partners from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Virtus Investment Partners from $221.00 to $200.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Virtus Investment Partners from $252.00 to $216.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Virtus Investment Partners from $220.00 to $158.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $193.00.

Virtus Investment Partners Company Profile

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to individual and institutional clients. It launches separate client focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm launches equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds for its clients.