Fidus Investment (NASDAQ:FDUS) Raised to "Strong-Buy" at LADENBURG THALM/SH SH

Key Points

• Fidus Investment has received a rating upgrade to "strong-buy" from LADENBURG THALM/SH SH, indicating increased analyst confidence in the stock.
• After positive earnings results, where the company reported $0.57 EPS surpassing expectations, analysts project Fidus Investment will post 2.28 EPS for the current year.
• Institutional investors are actively engaging with Fidus Investment, with several firms increasing their stakes during the fourth quarter, reflecting growing interest in the company.

Fidus Investment (NASDAQ:FDUS - Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at LADENBURG THALM/SH SH to a "strong-buy" rating in a report released on Wednesday, August 13th,Zacks.com reports.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on FDUS. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted 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. B. Riley lowered Fidus Investment from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and raised their target price for the company from $22.00 to $22.50 in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $22.00.

Fidus Investment Price Performance

FDUS remained flat at $21.28 on Wednesday. 87,516 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 199,830. The company has a 50 day moving average of $20.78 and a 200-day moving average of $20.63. Fidus Investment has a 1-year low of $16.70 and a 1-year high of $23.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $752.89 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.21 and a beta of 0.95.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $39.97 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $37.42 million. Fidus Investment had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 51.88%. On average, equities analysts expect that Fidus Investment will post 2.28 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc lifted its stake in shares of Fidus Investment by 137.4% in the 2nd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 1,728 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Novare Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Fidus Investment by 0.6% in the 2nd 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 during the period. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Fidus Investment by 90.0% in the 2nd quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,850 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 1,350 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Fidus Investment in the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 28.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.