Great Elm Capital Group (NASDAQ:GECC) Downgraded to “Strong Sell” Rating by Zacks Research

Zacks Research downgraded shares of Great Elm Capital Group (NASDAQ:GECC) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note published on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Great Elm Capital Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Clear Str cut Great Elm Capital Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott dropped their price target on Great Elm Capital Group from $12.00 to $10.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $10.50.

Great Elm Capital Group Trading Down 2.9%

GECC stock traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $5.70. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 75,538 shares, compared to its average volume of 84,094. Great Elm Capital Group has a 1 year low of $5.64 and a 1 year high of $11.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.48 and a beta of 0.64. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a current ratio of 0.24.

Great Elm Capital Group (NASDAQ:GECC) last issued its earnings results on Monday, March 2nd. The financial services provider reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of ($39.96) million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.16 million. Great Elm Capital Group had a negative net margin of 63.59% and a positive return on equity of 13.19%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Great Elm Capital Group will post 1.43 EPS for the current year.

Great Elm Capital Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 16th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. Great Elm Capital Group’s payout ratio is -64.35%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Great Elm Capital Group

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its stake in Great Elm Capital Group by 247.9% in the fourth quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 106,079 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $747,000 after purchasing an additional 75,588 shares during the last quarter. Granby Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Great Elm Capital Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $352,000. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Great Elm Capital Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $220,000. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Great Elm Capital Group by 54.9% in the 4th quarter. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. now owns 30,200 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $213,000 after buying an additional 10,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crestwood Advisors Group LLC grew its position in shares of Great Elm Capital Group by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 26,625 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $188,000 after buying an additional 2,151 shares during the last quarter. 38.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Great Elm Capital Group Company Profile

Great Elm Capital Group, Inc (NASDAQ: GECC) is a closed-end, externally managed business development company (BDC) that seeks to generate current income and capital appreciation by investing in private, middle-market companies. The firm targets senior secured loans, subordinated debt and equity securities of U.S. companies, with a focus on businesses offering stable cash flows and potential for growth. Industry sectors of interest include business services, consumer products, industrials and healthcare, among others.

GECC’s investment strategy emphasizes portfolio diversification and active management.