Fidus Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:FDUS) Short Interest Up 54.5% in July

Key Points

• Fidus Investment Corporation's short interest surged by 54.5% in July, reaching a total of 274,000 shares, reflecting approximately 0.8% of the company's shares being short sold.
• The company declared a $0.57 dividend with an 800.0% yield, marking an increase from its previous dividend of $0.11, to be paid on September 25th.
• Fidus Investment reported a quarterly earnings of $0.57 per share, surpassing analyst estimates of $0.53, and had a revenue of $39.97 million, exceeding forecasts of $37.42 million.

Fidus Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:FDUS - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 274,000 shares, agrowthof54.5% from the July 15th total of 177,300 shares. Approximately0.8% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 173,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days. Based on an average daily volume of 173,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days. Approximately0.8% of the company's shares are short sold.

Fidus Investment Stock Performance

Shares of FDUS stock opened at $21.17 on Tuesday. Fidus Investment has a 52-week low of $16.70 and a 52-week high of $23.55. The company has a market capitalization of $748.99 million, a PE ratio of 9.16 and a beta of 0.95. The business's fifty day moving average is $20.77 and its 200 day moving average is $20.63.

Fidus Investment (NASDAQ:FDUS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The asset manager reported $0.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.04. Fidus Investment had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 51.88%. The company had revenue of $39.97 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $37.42 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Fidus Investment will post 2.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Fidus Investment Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a -- dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 25th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 18th will be paid a $0.57 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 800.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 18th. This is an increase from Fidus Investment's previous -- dividend of $0.11. Fidus Investment's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 74.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised Fidus Investment to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on Fidus Investment from $20.00 to $21.50 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Finally, B. Riley downgraded Fidus Investment from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $22.00 to $22.50 in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fidus Investment

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Fidus Investment by 8.2% during the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,267 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $279,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc lifted its position in shares of Fidus Investment by 137.4% during the second quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 1,728 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Novare Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Fidus Investment by 0.6% in the second quarter. Novare Capital Management LLC now owns 190,275 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $3,844,000 after acquiring an additional 1,135 shares in the last quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Fidus Investment by 90.0% during the 2nd quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,850 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Fidus Investment during the first quarter worth $28,000. 28.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Fidus Investment Company Profile

Fidus Investment Corporation is a business development company. It specializing in leveraged buyouts, refinancings, change of ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, mezzanine, growth capital, business expansion, lower middle market investments, debt investments, subordinated and second lien loans, senior secured and unitranche debt, preferred equity, warrants, subordinated debt, senior subordinated notes, junior secured loans, and unitranche loans.

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