Western Asset Mortgage Capital Co. (NYSE:WMC) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,320,000 shares, a drop of 30.2% from the November 15th total of 1,890,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 425,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.1 days. Currently, 2.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.
Separately, Zacks Investment Research cut Western Asset Mortgage Capital from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, November 19th.
Shares of Western Asset Mortgage Capital stock opened at $2.06 on Monday. Western Asset Mortgage Capital has a one year low of $2.05 and a one year high of $4.19. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $2.38 and its 200 day moving average is $2.78. The stock has a market cap of $125.37 million, a P/E ratio of -4.90 and a beta of 2.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.62, a quick ratio of 864.63 and a current ratio of 864.63.
Western Asset Mortgage Capital (NYSE:WMC) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 4th. The financial services provider reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, hitting the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.06. Western Asset Mortgage Capital had a positive return on equity of 8.41% and a negative net margin of 14.64%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.10 EPS. Analysts predict that Western Asset Mortgage Capital will post 0.27 EPS for the current year.
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 26th. Investors of record on Monday, October 4th were issued a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 1st. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.65%. Western Asset Mortgage Capital’s dividend payout ratio is currently -57.14%.
In other news, CIO Greg E. Handler purchased 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $2.17 per share, with a total value of $108,500.00. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CIO Greg E. Handler purchased 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 24th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $2.17 per share, for a total transaction of $54,250.00. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 85,741 shares of company stock worth $186,560. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.
Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Western Asset Mortgage Capital by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 93,240 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $303,000 after buying an additional 5,545 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Western Asset Mortgage Capital by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 139,863 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $455,000 after buying an additional 7,275 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in Western Asset Mortgage Capital by 44.5% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 31,431 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $82,000 after buying an additional 9,678 shares in the last quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC purchased a new stake in Western Asset Mortgage Capital in the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Paloma Partners Management Co increased its stake in Western Asset Mortgage Capital by 62.8% in the 2nd quarter. Paloma Partners Management Co now owns 29,146 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $95,000 after buying an additional 11,241 shares in the last quarter. 43.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
About Western Asset Mortgage Capital
Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp. operates as a real estate investment trust. The firm engages in managing a diversified portfolio of assets. It focuses on investing in, financing and managing real estate related securities, whole loans and other financial assets. The company was founded on June 3, 2009 and is headquartered in Pasadena, CA.
Read More: What are the components of an earnings report?
Want More Great Investing Ideas?