Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Sees Strong Trading Volume - 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) shares saw strong trading volume on Wednesday . 197,788 shares traded hands during 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

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Guild from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $16.00 to $20.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Compass Point cut shares of Guild from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $19.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Guild to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market perform" rating on shares of Guild in a research note on Friday, June 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Guild from $12.50 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, July 11th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $18.42.

Guild Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 0.07 and a quick ratio of 0.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.79, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.94. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $18.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.79.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Guild

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Citadel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Guild by 57.5% during the 4th quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 16,799 shares of the company's stock worth $237,000 after acquiring an additional 6,134 shares during the last quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. lifted its position in Guild by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 674,805 shares of the company's stock valued at $9,521,000 after purchasing an additional 20,848 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in Guild by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,421 shares of the company's stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 1,709 shares during the period. Bayview Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Guild by 6.4% in the 4th quarter. Bayview Asset Management LLC now owns 1,595,844 shares of the company's stock valued at $22,517,000 after acquiring an additional 95,327 shares during the period. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its stake in shares of Guild by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 628,650 shares of the company's stock worth $8,870,000 after acquiring an additional 31,540 shares in the last quarter. 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.