Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY) Given New $19.00 Price Target at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY - Free Report) had its target price cut by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $21.00 to $19.00 in a research note released on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the real estate investment trust's stock.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $22.00 price target on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a report on Monday, February 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Annaly Capital Management from $21.00 to $20.15 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. JMP Securities restated a "market perform" rating on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a report on Monday, January 6th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $19.00 target price on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Annaly Capital Management currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $21.07.

Annaly Capital Management Trading Down 2.1 %

Annaly Capital Management stock traded down $0.38 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $17.52. The company had a trading volume of 2,049,160 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,960,650. Annaly Capital Management has a 12 month low of $16.60 and a 12 month high of $22.11. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $20.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.84. The company has a market capitalization of $10.47 billion, a PE ratio of 11.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.89 and a beta of 1.31.

Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.72 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.05. Annaly Capital Management had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 14.95%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Annaly Capital Management will post 2.81 EPS for the current year.

Annaly Capital Management Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 15.98%. This is an increase from Annaly Capital Management's previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. Annaly Capital Management's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 176.10%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Annaly Capital Management

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assetmark Inc. bought a new position in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Annaly Capital Management by 78.5% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,630 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 717 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Annaly Capital Management by 34.4% in the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 2,143 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 549 shares in the last quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Annaly Capital Management during the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Annaly Capital Management by 29.3% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,425 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 549 shares in the last quarter. 51.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Annaly Capital Management

Annaly Capital Management, Inc, a diversified capital manager, engages in mortgage finance. The company invests in agency mortgage-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages; non-agency residential whole loans and securitized products within the residential and commercial markets; mortgage servicing rights; agency commercial mortgage-backed securities; to-be-announced forward contracts; residential mortgage loans; and agency or private label credit risk transfer securities.