Squarepoint Ops LLC Decreases Stake in Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC)

Squarepoint Ops LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE:EFC - Free Report) by 39.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 47,288 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 30,336 shares during the quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned about 0.05% of Ellington Financial worth $573,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of EFC. Longboard Asset Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Ellington Financial during the 4th quarter worth $179,000. CenterStar Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Ellington Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $136,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its stake in Ellington Financial by 3.9% in the fourth quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 51,525 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $624,000 after buying an additional 1,918 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC boosted its stake in Ellington Financial by 1,030.8% in the fourth quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 219,372 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,659,000 after buying an additional 199,972 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Preferred LLC bought a new position in Ellington Financial during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $432,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 55.62% of the company's stock.

Ellington Financial Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of EFC stock traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $12.63. 280,882 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 975,067. The company has a current ratio of 37.04, a quick ratio of 37.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.87. The company's 50-day moving average price is $12.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.67. Ellington Financial Inc. has a 12-month low of $11.12 and a 12-month high of $14.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.64 and a beta of 0.99.

Ellington Financial (NYSE:EFC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.01. Ellington Financial had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 106.40%. The firm had revenue of $82.91 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $107.06 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Ellington Financial Inc. will post 1.38 earnings per share for the current 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 paid a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 12.36%. Ellington Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 110.64%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Ellington Financial Company 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.