Morgan Stanley Direct Lending (NYSE:MSDL) Stock Holdings Lifted by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending (NYSE:MSDL - Free Report) by 207.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 237,754 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 160,536 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 0.27% of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending worth $4,912,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending during the fourth quarter worth $204,000. Centiva Capital LP purchased a new position in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending during the third quarter worth $213,000. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC purchased a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $229,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending in the 4th quarter worth about $258,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending during the 3rd quarter valued at $271,000.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Stock Up 0.3 %

MSDL stock traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $19.21. 52,242 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 675,213. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.53 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $20.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $20.43. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending has a 12-month low of $17.59 and a 12-month high of $24.18.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending (NYSE:MSDL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 27th. The company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.63 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $103.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $107.02 million. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending had a net margin of 54.89% and a return on equity of 12.69%. On average, analysts anticipate that Morgan Stanley Direct Lending will post 2.56 EPS for the current year.

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.41%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending's dividend payout ratio is currently 82.30%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on MSDL. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending from $21.00 to $20.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Morgan Stanley Direct Lending from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $22.00 price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $21.10.

About Morgan Stanley Direct Lending

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund is a business development company. It is a non-diversified, externally managed specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund is based in NEW YORK.