Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (NYSE:MSDL) Short Interest Up 170.2% in February

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (NYSE:MSDL) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,574,458 shares, a growth of 170.2% from the January 29th total of 582,617 shares. Approximately 1.8% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,096,089 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,096,089 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Approximately 1.8% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Trading of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund during the third quarter worth $30,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund during the third quarter valued at about $32,000. DV Equities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $41,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund by 62.3% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,606 shares of the company’s stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund by 225.0% in the 2nd quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 3,250 shares of the company’s stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 2,250 shares in the last quarter.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund Stock Down 1.2%

MSDL stock opened at $15.44 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $16.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.85. The company has a market cap of $1.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.36 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a current ratio of 1.45. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund has a fifty-two week low of $14.81 and a fifty-two week high of $20.90.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund’s dividend payout ratio is presently 121.21%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MSDL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund from $16.00 to $16.50 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $16.00 target price (down from $17.00) on shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Zacks Research upgraded Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund from $20.00 to $18.50 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $18.00 target price (down from $19.00) on shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $17.58.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund Company Profile

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (NYSE: MSDL) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with attractive current income and the potential for capital appreciation. The fund primarily invests in senior secured loans and other debt instruments issued by middle-market companies. By focusing on floating-rate structures, it aims to offer a measure of protection against rising interest rates while generating regular cash distributions.

The fund’s investment strategy centers on building a diversified portfolio of direct lending opportunities across a broad range of industries, including healthcare, business services, and industrials.