Short Interest in Annaly Capital Management Inc (NYSE:NLY) Declines By 40.1%

Annaly Capital Management Inc (NYSE:NLY) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 11,987,882 shares, a decline of 40.1% from the December 31st total of 20,015,708 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 10,371,170 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Currently, 1.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 1.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 10,371,170 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Annaly Capital Management Price Performance

Shares of Annaly Capital Management stock traded down $0.86 on Friday, hitting $23.15. 7,415,332 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,460,951. Annaly Capital Management has a one year low of $16.59 and a one year high of $24.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.81 billion, a PE ratio of 8.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.56 and a beta of 1.25. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $23.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.71.

Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.02. Annaly Capital Management had a return on equity of 16.49% and a net margin of 34.02%.The business had revenue of $1.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $567.67 million. On average, analysts forecast that Annaly Capital Management will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Annaly Capital Management Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.1%. Annaly Capital Management’s payout ratio is currently 100.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on NLY shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Annaly Capital Management from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $25.00 price objective (up previously from $23.00) on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a report on Thursday. Barclays set a $24.00 target price on Annaly Capital Management and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, BTIG Research upgraded Annaly Capital Management from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $25.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $23.89.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Annaly Capital Management

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Camelot Portfolios LLC bought a new position in shares of Annaly Capital Management during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 51.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Annaly Capital Management Company Profile

Annaly Capital Management, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in generating income through investment in mortgage-related assets. The company’s core business activities include the acquisition, financing, and management of a diversified portfolio of agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), and other real estate debt instruments. Annaly seeks to profit from the spread between the interest earned on its mortgage investments and its cost of funds, as well as from capital gains realized through active portfolio management.

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in New York City, Annaly has grown to become one of the largest mortgage REITs in the United States.