Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Sees Strong Trading Volume - Here's Why

Shares of Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD - Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Thursday . 100,250 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 705% from the previous session's volume of 12,449 shares.The stock last traded at $14.16 and had previously closed at $14.49.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Compass Point increased their target price on shares of Guild from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Guild from an "underweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $12.50 to $12.00 in a report on Tuesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $16.50.

Guild Trading Up 1.6 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $13.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $13.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $879.04 million, a P/E ratio of -9.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a current ratio of 0.06.

Guild Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 14.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. Guild's dividend payout ratio is presently 64.94%.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. boosted its stake in Guild by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 344,742 shares of the company's stock worth $4,864,000 after purchasing an additional 1,535 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Guild by 8.3% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,421 shares of the company's stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 1,709 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Guild by 2.0% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 98,244 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,634,000 after buying an additional 1,901 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Guild by 18.6% during the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 15,441 shares of the company's stock valued at $218,000 after buying an additional 2,421 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC raised its position in Guild by 57.5% during the fourth quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 16,799 shares of the company's stock valued at $237,000 after buying an additional 6,134 shares during the period. 17.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Guild Company Profile

Guild Holdings Company originates, sells, and services residential mortgage loans in the United States. It operates in two segments, Origination and Servicing. The company offers residential mortgages through retail and correspondent channels. Guild Holdings Company was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.