Short Interest in Annaly Capital Management Inc (NYSE:NLY) Expands By 53.0%

Annaly Capital Management Inc (NYSE:NLY) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 20,015,708 shares, a growth of 53.0% from the December 15th total of 13,083,573 shares. Currently, 2.9% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 8,825,795 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 8,825,795 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.3 days. Currently, 2.9% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Annaly Capital Management Stock Performance

NYSE NLY opened at $24.38 on Friday. Annaly Capital Management has a one year low of $16.59 and a one year high of $24.40. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.65 billion, a PE ratio of 11.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.53 and a beta of 1.25.

Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.01. Annaly Capital Management had a net margin of 26.68% and a return on equity of 15.96%. The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $493.55 million. Equities analysts forecast that Annaly Capital Management will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Annaly Capital Management Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given 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 11.5%. Annaly Capital Management’s payout ratio is currently 129.63%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Annaly Capital Management

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. MCF Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Annaly Capital Management by 41.6% during the third quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 1,688 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 496 shares during the period. Finally, Elevation Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Annaly Capital Management in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. 51.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NLY has been the subject of several analyst reports. BTIG Research raised Annaly Capital Management from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $25.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased 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. Barclays set a $23.00 target price on shares of Annaly Capital Management and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Jones Trading reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $22.00 price objective on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and set a $25.00 target price (up from $23.50) on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a research note on Thursday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $22.81.

About Annaly Capital Management

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.