Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. Acquires 1,197,220 Shares of MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA)

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. boosted its position in MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA - Free Report) by 35.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,583,087 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock after acquiring an additional 1,197,220 shares during the quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. owned 4.49% of MFA Financial worth $58,297,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its stake in shares of MFA Financial by 82.7% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 2,658 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 1,203 shares during the last quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new position in shares of MFA Financial during the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Castleview Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of MFA Financial during the third quarter valued at about $79,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of MFA Financial by 17.7% during the first quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 10,030 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 1,508 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of MFA Financial during the first quarter valued at about $140,000. Institutional investors own 65.28% of the company's stock.

MFA Financial Price Performance

NYSE MFA traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $11.03. The stock had a trading volume of 672,922 shares, compared to its average volume of 955,571. MFA Financial, Inc. has a 1 year low of $10.20 and a 1 year high of $13.45. The stock has a market cap of $1.13 billion, a PE ratio of 6.94 and a beta of 2.16. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $12.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $11.55.

MFA Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 27th. MFA Financial's payout ratio is currently 88.05%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on MFA shares. JMP Securities raised their target price on MFA Financial from $12.50 to $13.50 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Raymond James raised their target price on MFA Financial from $13.00 to $14.50 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 19th. Wedbush restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $15.00 price objective on shares of MFA Financial in a report on Thursday, November 7th. StockNews.com lowered shares of MFA Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of MFA Financial from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, MFA Financial presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $13.60.

MFA Financial Profile

MFA Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment trust in the United States. It invests in residential mortgage securities, including non-agency mortgage-backed securities, agency MBS, and credit risk transfer securities; residential whole loans, including purchased performing loans, purchased credit deteriorated, and non-performing loans; and mortgage servicing rights related assets.