Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 4,605,585 shares, an increase of 28.4% from the January 15th total of 3,588,108 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,017,551 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Currently, 4.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 4.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,017,551 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days.

Institutional Trading of Ellington Financial

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. CWM LLC increased its stake in Ellington Financial by 67.6% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,010 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 811 shares during the last quarter. Daytona Street Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Ellington Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. REAP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ellington Financial during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its position in shares of Ellington Financial by 134.4% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,752 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 1,578 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in Ellington Financial in the third quarter valued at about $44,000. Institutional investors own 55.62% of the company’s stock.

Ellington Financial Price Performance

NYSE EFC traded down $0.12 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $12.82. The company had a trading volume of 1,506,364 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,546,711. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $13.51 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.50. The company has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 9.57 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a current ratio of 50.60, a quick ratio of 50.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.64. Ellington Financial has a twelve month low of $11.12 and a twelve month high of $14.40.

Ellington Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Ellington Financial’s dividend payout ratio is presently 116.42%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Ellington Financial in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $14.55.

Ellington Financial Company Profile

Ellington Financial, Inc (NYSE: EFC) is a mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on generating attractive risk-adjusted returns through investments in residential and commercial mortgage-related assets. Established in 2013, the company is externally managed by Ellington Financial Management, L.P., a subsidiary of Ellington Management Group, an alternative asset management firm. EFC’s core strategy centers on actively acquiring and managing agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS), mortgage servicing rights, residential whole loans, and other structured finance instruments, including asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).

The company employs leverage and structured financing tools—such as repurchase agreements and secured credit facilities—to enhance portfolio yield while maintaining focus on risk mitigation.