Sfmg LLC Invests $2.86 Million in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending (NYSE:MSDL)

Sfmg LLC purchased a new stake in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending (NYSE:MSDL - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 138,620 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,864,000. Sfmg LLC owned 0.16% of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending during the 4th quarter worth approximately $204,000. Centiva Capital LP bought a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending during the 3rd quarter worth about $213,000. Caprock Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending during the third quarter worth approximately $245,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending in the 4th quarter valued at $258,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending in the 3rd quarter valued at $271,000.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MSDL traded down $0.05 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $20.67. The company had a trading volume of 426,474 shares, compared to its average volume of 656,908. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.11 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending has a fifty-two week low of $19.28 and a fifty-two week high of $24.18. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $20.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.51.

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Morgan Stanley Direct Lending (NYSE:MSDL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 27th. The company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.63 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $103.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $107.02 million. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending had a net margin of 54.89% and a return on equity of 12.69%. On average, research analysts expect that Morgan Stanley Direct Lending will post 2.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.68%. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending's payout ratio is currently 82.30%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MSDL has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $22.00 price target on shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Morgan Stanley Direct Lending from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $21.38.

About Morgan Stanley Direct Lending

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund is a business development company. It is a non-diversified, externally managed specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund is based in NEW YORK.