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

SLR Investment Corp. (NASDAQ:SLRC) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 187,800 shares, an increase of 19.7% from the November 30th total of 156,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 167,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days.

SLR Investment Stock Down 0.2 %

NASDAQ SLRC opened at $16.26 on Tuesday. SLR Investment has a 1 year low of $14.41 and a 1 year high of $16.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $887.06 million, a PE ratio of 9.19 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The business’s 50-day moving average is $16.14 and its 200 day moving average is $15.75.

SLR Investment (NASDAQ:SLRC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $59.77 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $58.48 million. SLR Investment had a return on equity of 9.73% and a net margin of 40.89%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.42 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that SLR Investment will post 1.76 earnings per share for the current year.

SLR Investment Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th were given a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.09%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 13th. SLR Investment’s payout ratio is currently 92.66%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On SLR Investment

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SLRC. Confluence Investment Management LLC raised its stake in SLR Investment by 0.8% in the third quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 186,928 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,813,000 after buying an additional 1,556 shares in the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. raised its position in shares of SLR Investment by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 40,900 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $658,000 after acquiring an additional 1,616 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. lifted its stake in shares of SLR Investment by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 89,066 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,433,000 after purchasing an additional 1,683 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of SLR Investment by 15.0% during the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 15,541 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $234,000 after purchasing an additional 2,022 shares in the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in SLR Investment in the second quarter worth $35,000. 35.32% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on SLR Investment from $12.50 to $13.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $15.25.

About SLR Investment

SLR Investment Corp. is a business development company specializing in secured debt (first lien unitranche and second lien), subordinated (unsecured) debt, minority equity, leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, recapitalizations, general refinancing, growth capital and strategic income-oriented control equity investments in leveraged middle market companies.