Short Interest in Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FBRT) Rises By 46.3%

Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FBRT) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 3,468,949 shares, a growth of 46.3% from the January 29th total of 2,371,551 shares. Approximately 4.3% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,320,340 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,320,340 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days. Approximately 4.3% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 126.7% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,428 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,357 shares during the period. Arlington Trust Co LLC bought a new stake in Franklin BSP Realty Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Assetmark Inc. bought a new stake in Franklin BSP Realty Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in Franklin BSP Realty Trust during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in Franklin BSP Realty Trust in the second quarter valued at approximately $46,000. 59.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on FBRT shares. JonesTrading cut their price target on Franklin BSP Realty Trust from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $13.50.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Trading Down 1.1%

Franklin BSP Realty Trust stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $9.15. 1,353,267 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,262,948. The stock has a market capitalization of $740.47 million, a PE ratio of 14.29 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.47. The company has a quick ratio of 67.81, a current ratio of 70.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.33. Franklin BSP Realty Trust has a 52 week low of $8.42 and a 52 week high of $13.58.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.7%. Franklin BSP Realty Trust’s payout ratio is 221.88%.

Key Headlines Impacting Franklin BSP Realty Trust

Here are the key news stories impacting Franklin BSP Realty Trust this week:

• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms have filed or announced securities class actions and investigations alleging that Franklin issued materially misleading statements (covering purchases between Nov. 5, 2024 and Feb. 11, 2026) and overstated its business prospects and ability to maintain the $0.355 dividend — creating legal exposure and potential liability for the company. ROSEN: Encourages Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Robbins LLP Investor Notice Holzer & Holzer Investor Alert
• Neutral Sentiment: Several firms are soliciting lead‑plaintiff roles and reminding investors of filing deadlines (e.g., April 27, 2026), which consolidates claims and will determine litigation leadership and strategy — watch for a lead plaintiff filing that can shape case scope and timing. Faruqi & Faruqi Deadline Reminder Rosen: Opportunity to Lead
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest rose sharply in February (to ~3.47M shares, a 46.3% increase from late January), representing about 4.3% of shares sold short and a short‑interest ratio ~2.6 days—suggesting elevated bearish bets that can amplify downward pressure or create volatility if positions are covered. (Short‑interest data reported Feb. 13.)

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Company Profile

Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: FBRT) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of Franklin Square Capital Partners. The company focuses on acquiring, owning and managing single-tenant net leased commercial properties across the United States. Its portfolio spans retail, office, industrial and other property types, with leases structured to shift most property‐level responsibilities—such as maintenance, property taxes and insurance—to the tenants.

By concentrating on net lease investments, Franklin BSP Realty Trust aims to generate stable and predictable rental income streams.