Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC Invests $1.61 Million in Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC)

Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 133,090 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,613,000. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC owned 0.15% of Ellington Financial at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of EFC. Delphi Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Ellington Financial during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $4,704,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Ellington Financial by 17.2% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,364,583 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $28,659,000 after buying an additional 347,587 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in shares of Ellington Financial by 39.8% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,092,902 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $13,246,000 after buying an additional 311,406 shares during the period. GraniteShares Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ellington Financial during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,462,000. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC boosted its position in shares of Ellington Financial by 1,030.8% during the fourth quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 219,372 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,659,000 after buying an additional 199,972 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 55.62% of the company's stock.

Ellington Financial Stock Down 0.4%

Ellington Financial stock traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $12.76. 730,407 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 978,533. The business has a fifty day moving average of $12.72 and a 200 day moving average of $12.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.87, a quick ratio of 37.04 and a current ratio of 37.04. The firm has a market cap of $1.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.74 and a beta of 1.01. Ellington Financial Inc. has a 12-month low of $11.12 and a 12-month high of $14.40.

Ellington Financial (NYSE:EFC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $82.91 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $107.06 million. Ellington Financial had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 106.40%. Research analysts anticipate that Ellington Financial Inc. will post 1.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ellington Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.23%. Ellington Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 110.64%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on EFC shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on Ellington Financial from $13.75 to $14.50 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. B. Riley boosted their price target on Ellington Financial from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Ellington Financial in a report on Wednesday, May 14th.

Ellington Financial Profile

Ellington Financial Inc, through its subsidiary, Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC, acquires and manages mortgage-related, consumer-related, corporate-related, and other financial assets in the United States. The company acquires and manages residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) backed by prime jumbo, Alt-A, manufactured housing, and subprime mortgage; RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the U.S.