Short Interest in Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE:SCM) Rises By 18.8%

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE:SCM) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 687,194 shares, an increase of 18.8% from the January 29th total of 578,272 shares. Approximately 2.5% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 294,509 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 294,509 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.3 days. Approximately 2.5% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Stellus Capital Investment from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Stellus Capital Investment from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Stellus Capital Investment in a report on Monday, December 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, Stellus Capital Investment presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $13.00.

Institutional Trading of Stellus Capital Investment

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Stellus Capital Investment during the second quarter worth $25,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Stellus Capital Investment in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in Stellus Capital Investment in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new position in Stellus Capital Investment in the 2nd quarter valued at about $60,000. Finally, Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Stellus Capital Investment during the fourth quarter valued at about $62,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.22% of the company’s stock.

Stellus Capital Investment Stock Down 1.0%

Stellus Capital Investment stock traded down $0.10 during trading on Thursday, reaching $9.95. 155,755 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 231,233. The company’s 50-day moving average is $12.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.10 and a current ratio of 0.10. Stellus Capital Investment has a 52-week low of $9.29 and a 52-week high of $15.39. The firm has a market cap of $288.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.13 and a beta of 0.68.

Stellus Capital Investment Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.1133 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 13.7%. Stellus Capital Investment’s payout ratio is 124.77%.

About Stellus Capital Investment

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) is a closed-end, externally managed business development company that provides debt and equity financing to middle market companies in the United States. As an investment vehicle specializing in private credit, Stellus focuses on originating and structuring senior secured loans, unitranche facilities, mezzanine debt, and equity co-investments tailored to the unique needs of growing businesses. Its flexible capital solutions are designed to support acquisitions, recapitalizations, growth initiatives, and balance sheet refinancings.

Operating under an evergreen structure, Stellus Capital Investment partners with a diverse group of portfolio companies across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, business services, and specialty finance.