AWH Capital L.P. Buys Shares of 24,742 Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. $VRTS

Key Points

• AWH Capital initiated a position in Virtus Investment Partners by purchasing 24,742 shares worth approximately $3.55 million, representing about 0.37% of the company. Institutional investors collectively own 80.52% of VRTS.
• Virtus raised its quarterly dividend to $2.45 per share, or $9.80 annually, implying a 5.8% yield and a 55.84% payout ratio.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious, with a consensus “Reduce” rating and a $145.50 price target versus the stock’s reported $168.12 price; an executive also sold 14,975 shares for roughly $2.51 million.

AWH Capital L.P. bought a new stake in Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTS - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 24,742 shares of the closed-end fund's stock, valued at approximately $3,550,477. Virtus Investment Partners makes up approximately 0.0% of AWH Capital L.P.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. AWH Capital L.P. owned approximately 0.37% of Virtus Investment Partners at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its stake in Virtus Investment Partners by 2.3% in the first quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 3,446 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $463,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Virtus Investment Partners by 24.1% in the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 499 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System grew its stake in Virtus Investment Partners by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 5,401 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $881,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank grew its stake in Virtus Investment Partners by 0.8% in the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 12,700 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $2,413,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its stake in Virtus Investment Partners by 2.7% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 3,952 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $681,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.52% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Virtus Investment Partners

In related news, EVP Michael A. Angerthal sold 14,975 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.34, for a total transaction of $2,505,916.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 63,461 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,619,563.74. The trade was a 19.09% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 6.40% of the company's stock.

Virtus Investment Partners Price Performance

NASDAQ VRTS opened at $168.12 on Friday. Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. has a twelve month low of $121.61 and a twelve month high of $203.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 11.86 and a current ratio of 11.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.11 billion, a PE ratio of 9.95 and a beta of 1.37. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $160.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $146.51.

Virtus Investment Partners Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be given a dividend of $2.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $9.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. This is a boost from Virtus Investment Partners's previous quarterly dividend of $2.40. Virtus Investment Partners's payout ratio is presently 55.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on VRTS shares. Barclays lowered their target price on Virtus Investment Partners from $141.00 to $135.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 31st. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Virtus Investment Partners from $136.00 to $147.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on Virtus Investment Partners from $181.00 to $170.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an "underweight" rating and set a $130.00 price target on shares of Virtus Investment Partners in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus price target of $145.50.

About Virtus Investment Partners

Virtus Investment Partners NASDAQ: VRTS is a publicly traded investment management company headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. The firm offers a broad range of investment solutions to institutional, high-net-wealth, and retail investors, drawing on the expertise of multiple affiliated investment teams. Since its founding in 1995, Virtus has grown by integrating specialized asset managers and expanding its product lineup, while maintaining a focus on active management across diverse market environments.

The company's product suite encompasses mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), collective trusts, UCITS funds, and separately managed accounts.

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