SLR Investment Corp. (NASDAQ:SLRC) Short Interest Up 19.7% in December

SLR Investment Corp. (NASDAQ:SLRC) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 187,800 shares, an increase of 19.7% from the November 30th total of 156,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 167,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on SLR Investment from $12.50 to $13.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, SLR Investment currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $15.25.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of SLR Investment in the second quarter worth $35,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of SLR Investment in the 2nd quarter valued at about $47,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of SLR Investment during the third quarter worth about $90,000. Creative Planning acquired a new position in SLR Investment in the third quarter worth about $170,000. Finally, MQS Management LLC bought a new stake in SLR Investment in the third quarter valued at about $197,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 35.32% of the company’s stock.

SLR Investment Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ:SLRC traded down $0.04 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $16.22. 163,907 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 160,299. The firm has a market cap of $884.88 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.16 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.06. SLR Investment has a 12-month low of $14.41 and a 12-month high of $16.91. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $16.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.75.

SLR Investment (NASDAQ:SLRC) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.44 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $59.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $58.48 million. SLR Investment had a return on equity of 9.73% and a net margin of 40.89%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.42 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that SLR Investment will post 1.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

SLR Investment Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th were given a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.11%. SLR Investment’s payout ratio is currently 92.66%.

About SLR Investment

SLR Investment Corp. is a business development company specializing in secured debt (first lien unitranche and second lien), subordinated (unsecured) debt, minority equity, leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, recapitalizations, general refinancing, growth capital and strategic income-oriented control equity investments in leveraged middle market companies.