Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Sees Large Volume Increase - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• Guild Holdings Company experienced a remarkable trading volume increase of 388%, with approximately 197,788 shares exchanged, reflecting heightened investor interest.
• Analysts have varying outlooks on Guild, with a consensus rating of "Hold" and a price target averaging $18.42.
• Institutional investors currently own 17.52% of Guild's stock, indicating significant institutional confidence in the company.

Guild Holdings Company (NYSE:GHLD - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 197,788 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 388% from the previous session's volume of 40,506 shares.The stock last traded at $19.86 and had previously closed at $19.86.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Guild to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Citigroup reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Guild in a report on Tuesday, May 27th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market perform" rating on shares of Guild in a report on Friday, June 20th. Citizens Jmp lowered Guild from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, June 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Guild from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and raised their target price for the stock from $16.00 to $20.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $18.42.

Guild Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.24 billion, a PE ratio of 28.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $17.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $14.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Guild

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Credit Industriel ET Commercial purchased a new position in Guild during the second quarter worth approximately $1,582,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. raised its position in Guild by 4.5% in the first quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 657,132 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,054,000 after purchasing an additional 28,482 shares during the period. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. raised its position in Guild by 10.5% in the first quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 380,925 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,828,000 after purchasing an additional 36,183 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in Guild by 18.6% in the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 15,441 shares of the company's stock valued at $218,000 after purchasing an additional 2,421 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC raised its position in Guild by 57.5% in the fourth quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 16,799 shares of the company's stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 6,134 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.52% of the company's stock.

About Guild

Guild Holdings Company originates, sells, and services residential mortgage loans in the United States. It operates in two segments, Origination and Servicing. The company offers residential mortgages through retail and correspondent channels. Guild Holdings Company was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.