Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:ATLC) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: Six brokerages give Atlanticus a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" (4 buys, 2 holds) with an average 1‑year price target of $88.75, versus a recent open near $56.47.
• Notable insider and institutional activity: Director Deal W. Hudson sold 1,675 shares at $59.72, insiders now own 51.80% of the stock, while institutions (including Wellington Management) have materially increased positions—Wellington now holds 704,282 shares.
• Valuation and range: Atlanticus has a market cap of about $855 million, a P/E of 10.03, a 12‑month low/high of $41.37/$78.91, and a debt‑to‑equity ratio of 1.20.

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:ATLC - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $88.75.

Several analysts have commented on ATLC shares. B. Riley Financial started coverage on shares of Atlanticus in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $90.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c-)" rating on shares of Atlanticus in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Atlanticus in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Citizens Jmp lifted their price objective on Atlanticus from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a "market outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Atlanticus from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th.

Insider Activity at Atlanticus

In other news, Director Deal W. Hudson sold 1,675 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.72, for a total transaction of $100,031.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 60,467 shares in the company, valued at $3,611,089.24. This represents a 2.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 51.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atlanticus

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in Atlanticus by 54.7% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 704,282 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $47,152,000 after purchasing an additional 249,100 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Atlanticus by 468.2% during the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 69,298 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $3,794,000 after buying an additional 57,103 shares during the period. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Atlanticus by 133.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 93,234 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,105,000 after buying an additional 53,312 shares during the period. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in shares of Atlanticus by 333.2% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 37,582 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,516,000 after buying an additional 28,907 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Atlanticus by 25.8% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 120,071 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $6,574,000 after buying an additional 24,595 shares during the period. 14.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atlanticus Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ATLC opened at $56.47 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $57.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $59.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The company has a market cap of $854.96 million, a PE ratio of 10.03 and a beta of 1.95. Atlanticus has a 12 month low of $41.37 and a 12 month high of $78.91.

Atlanticus Company Profile

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation is a specialty financial services holding company that provides credit products and solutions to consumers across the United States. Through its subsidiaries, the company offers proprietary credit card programs, installment loan products and deposit accounts designed to serve customers who may have limited access to traditional credit. Atlanticus markets its offerings through a variety of channels, including direct‐to‐consumer online platforms, mail order, call centers and partnerships with retail and e-commerce businesses.

The company underwrites and services credit card portfolios under private-label and co-branded agreements, combining technology‐enabled underwriting with tailored customer service.

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