Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Trading Up 5.3% - Here's Why

Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD - Get Free Report) shares were up 5.3% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $13.96 and last traded at $13.96. Approximately 7,374 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 37% from the average daily volume of 11,793 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.26.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GHLD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Compass Point increased their price objective on Guild from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Guild from $11.50 to $12.50 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Guild presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $16.60.

Guild Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.06 and a quick ratio of 0.06. The company's 50 day moving average price is $12.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $967.25 million, a P/E ratio of -10.08, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.98.

Guild Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.80%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. Guild's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 64.94%.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Guild

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in GHLD. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Guild by 419.9% during the 4th quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 125,311 shares of the company's stock worth $1,768,000 after buying an additional 101,209 shares during the period. Bayview Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Guild by 6.4% during the fourth quarter. Bayview Asset Management LLC now owns 1,595,844 shares of the company's stock valued at $22,517,000 after purchasing an additional 95,327 shares during the period. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. raised its holdings in Guild by 11.9% in the third quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 653,957 shares of the company's stock worth $10,875,000 after purchasing an additional 69,603 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. raised its holdings in Guild by 5.3% in the fourth quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 628,650 shares of the company's stock worth $8,870,000 after purchasing an additional 31,540 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Guild by 57.5% during the fourth quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 16,799 shares of the company's stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 6,134 shares in the last quarter. 17.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Guild

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.