Guild (NYSE:GHLD) Sees Strong Trading Volume - Here's What Happened

Shares of Guild Holdings Company (NYSE:GHLD - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 137,751 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 403% from the previous session's volume of 27,397 shares.The stock last traded at $19.86 and had previously closed at $19.84.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on GHLD shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Guild from $12.50 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, July 11th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Guild from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $16.00 to $20.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Guild to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Citigroup restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Guild in a report on Tuesday, May 27th. Finally, Citizens Jmp lowered shares of Guild from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, June 19th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $18.42.

Guild Price Performance

The firm's fifty day moving average price is $17.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $14.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market cap of $1.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.79, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.94.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Guild

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of GHLD. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. grew its stake in shares of Guild by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 344,742 shares of the company's stock worth $4,864,000 after purchasing an additional 1,535 shares during the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Guild by 5.3% in 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 buying an additional 31,540 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in shares of Guild by 8.3% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,421 shares of the company's stock valued at $316,000 after acquiring an additional 1,709 shares in the last quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. lifted its stake in Guild by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 674,805 shares of the company's stock worth $9,521,000 after acquiring an additional 20,848 shares during the period. Finally, Bayview Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Guild by 6.4% in the fourth quarter. Bayview Asset Management LLC now owns 1,595,844 shares of the company's stock worth $22,517,000 after acquiring an additional 95,327 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.