Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FBRT) Receives Average Rating of "Hold" from Analysts

Key Points

• Franklin BSP Realty Trust has a consensus “Hold” rating from six analysts: three buys, two holds and one sell. The average 12-month price target is $11.00, compared with shares opening at $6.12.
• The company exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $0.25 versus the $0.24 consensus, although revenue of $66.47 million fell short of the $80.98 million estimate.
• FBRT declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, equivalent to an annualized $0.80 payout and a 13.1% yield; its payout ratio stands at 181.82%.

Shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FBRT - Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of "Hold" from the six research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $11.00.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on FBRT shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. Citizens Jmp restated a "market outperform" rating and set a $11.00 price target on shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust in a report on Monday, July 6th. JonesTrading restated a "buy" rating and issued a $12.00 price target on shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, September 11th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a "sell (d)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, BTIG Research cut Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, September 18th.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:FBRT opened at $6.12 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $7.73 and a 200-day moving average of $8.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $508.62 million, a PE ratio of 13.92 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 96.80, a quick ratio of 96.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.47. Franklin BSP Realty Trust has a 12 month low of $6.03 and a 12 month high of $10.88.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE:FBRT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $66.47 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $80.98 million. Franklin BSP Realty Trust had a return on equity of 5.82% and a net margin of 20.49%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Franklin BSP Realty Trust will post 0.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 13th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 13.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 30th. Franklin BSP Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio is currently 181.82%.

Institutional Trading of Franklin BSP Realty Trust

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FBRT. Independent Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust during the first quarter worth about $1,117,000. Q Global Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 32.1% in the first quarter. Q Global Advisors LLC now owns 398,078 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,380,000 after purchasing an additional 96,723 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL lifted its position in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 64.3% during the first quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 188,917 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,604,000 after purchasing an additional 73,955 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new stake in Franklin BSP Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $564,000. Finally, Gabelli Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 12.9% during the 1st quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 556,252 shares of the company's stock worth $4,723,000 after buying an additional 63,752 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 59.87% of the company's stock.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Company Profile

Franklin BSP Realty Trust NYSE: FBRT is a real estate investment trust focused primarily on commercial real estate finance. The company originates, acquires and manages a portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments, with an emphasis on senior mortgage loans secured by properties such as multifamily, office, industrial, retail and hospitality assets.

In addition to senior mortgage loans, Franklin BSP Realty Trust may invest in subordinate and mezzanine loans, preferred equity, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other commercial real estate-related investments.

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