Saratoga Investment Corp (NYSE:SAR) Receives Consensus Rating of “Reduce” from Brokerages

Shares of Saratoga Investment Corp (NYSE:SAR) have been given an average rating of “Reduce” by the six analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have assigned a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $23.6250.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Saratoga Investment in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research downgraded Saratoga Investment from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. B. Riley decreased their price objective on Saratoga Investment from $23.50 to $23.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised Saratoga Investment to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Saratoga Investment in a research report on Friday, October 10th.

Saratoga Investment Stock Performance

Saratoga Investment stock opened at $22.46 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $22.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $24.14. The company has a market cap of $361.70 million, a P/E ratio of 9.60 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.29. Saratoga Investment has a fifty-two week low of $21.10 and a fifty-two week high of $26.49.

Saratoga Investment (NYSE:SAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.67 by ($0.09). Saratoga Investment had a net margin of 27.19% and a return on equity of 10.09%. The firm had revenue of $22.03 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $32.39 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Saratoga Investment will post 3.93 EPS for the current year.

Saratoga Investment Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 13.4%. Saratoga Investment’s dividend payout ratio is presently 128.21%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Saratoga Investment

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SAR. BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new stake in shares of Saratoga Investment during the third quarter worth $25,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Saratoga Investment in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new position in Saratoga Investment in the 3rd quarter worth about $45,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Saratoga Investment by 2,380.1% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,977 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $148,000 after purchasing an additional 5,736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Saratoga Investment by 24.0% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 6,256 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $155,000 after buying an additional 1,211 shares during the last quarter. 19.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Saratoga Investment Company Profile

Saratoga Investment Corp. is a business development company specializing in leveraged and management buyouts, acquisition financings, growth financings, recapitalization, debt refinancing, and transitional financing transactions at the lower end of middle market companies. It structures its investments as debt and equity by investing through first and second lien loans, mezzanine debt, co-investments, select high yield bonds, senior secured bonds, unsecured bonds, and preferred and common equity.