Short Interest in Fidus Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:FDUS) Expands By 23.4%

Fidus Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:FDUS - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 141,400 shares, a growth of 23.4% from the May 15th total of 114,600 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 235,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Fidus Investment Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of FDUS stock traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $19.93. 262,378 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 207,906. The firm has a market capitalization of $692.21 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.52 and a beta of 0.93. Fidus Investment has a 12-month low of $16.70 and a 12-month high of $23.55. The company's 50-day moving average price is $19.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $20.74.

Fidus Investment (NASDAQ:FDUS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The asset manager reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $36.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.61 million. Fidus Investment had a return on equity of 11.48% and a net margin of 52.59%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Fidus Investment will post 2.28 EPS for the current year.

Fidus Investment Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.54 per share. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.84%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. Fidus Investment's dividend payout ratio is presently 73.50%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FDUS has been the topic of several analyst reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Fidus Investment from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. B. Riley began coverage on Fidus Investment in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $22.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Fidus Investment from $21.00 to $20.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FDUS. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Fidus Investment by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 47,820 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $1,005,000 after buying an additional 1,261 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its position in Fidus Investment by 16.7% during the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 31,383 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $660,000 after purchasing an additional 4,485 shares during the period. Plan Group Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Fidus Investment in the 4th quarter valued at about $334,000. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Fidus Investment in the 4th quarter valued at about $203,000. Finally, Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Fidus Investment by 22.9% in the 4th quarter. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC now owns 77,177 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $1,622,000 after purchasing an additional 14,362 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 28.14% of the company's stock.

About Fidus Investment

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.