SLR Investment Corp. (NASDAQ:SLRC) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

SLR Investment Corp. (NASDAQ:SLRC) was the target of a large growth in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 451,223 shares, a growth of 42.9% from the January 29th total of 315,801 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 308,185 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 308,185 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days.

SLR Investment Stock Performance

SLRC stock traded up $0.31 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $14.73. 146,873 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 289,467. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $15.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. SLR Investment has a 1-year low of $13.64 and a 1-year high of $17.94.

SLR Investment (NASDAQ:SLRC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40. The firm had revenue of $54.46 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $54.97 million. SLR Investment had a net margin of 42.34% and a return on equity of 8.76%. Equities analysts expect that SLR Investment will post 1.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

SLR Investment Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. SLR Investment’s dividend payout ratio is presently 96.47%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Kelleher Financial Advisors bought a new position in shares of SLR Investment during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in shares of SLR Investment by 1,389.8% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,758 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,640 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of SLR Investment by 215.6% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,367 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,617 shares during the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new position in SLR Investment in the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in SLR Investment during the 4th quarter valued at about $42,000. Institutional investors own 35.32% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on SLRC shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on SLR Investment from $17.00 to $16.50 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of SLR Investment in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Raymond James Financial set a $16.00 price target on SLR Investment and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of SLR Investment from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $15.89.

SLR Investment Company Profile

SLR Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: SLRC) is a closed‐end, externally managed business development company that provides customized debt and equity financing solutions to middle‐market companies. The firm seeks to generate current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in senior secured loans, second lien financings, mezzanine debt and equity co‐investments. Its flexible capital approach allows it to structure financing across the capital structure to address a range of sponsor‐backed transactions.

SLR Investment Corp.