Ladder Capital Corp (NYSE:LADR) Short Interest Up 31.0% in March

Key Points

• Short interest up 31.0% in March to 2,596,865 shares, about 2.3% of the stock and a days-to-cover ratio of 3.8, indicating increased bearish positioning.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.23 (annualized $0.92) for a 9.5% yield
• Shares traded at $9.70 (12‑month range $9.67–$11.92) with a $1.23B market cap, and analysts hold a consensus of Moderate Buy with an average price target of $12.92.

Ladder Capital Corp (NYSE:LADR - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 2,596,865 shares, an increase of 31.0% from the February 26th total of 1,981,639 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 683,494 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.8 days. Approximately 2.3% of the company's stock are sold short.

Ladder Capital Stock Down 2.3%

Shares of LADR traded down $0.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $9.70. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,058,560 shares, compared to its average volume of 842,106. Ladder Capital has a 12-month low of $9.67 and a 12-month high of $11.92. The stock has a market cap of $1.23 billion, a PE ratio of 19.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.37, a current ratio of 29.65 and a quick ratio of 29.65. The company's 50 day moving average is $10.46 and its 200 day moving average is $10.78.

Ladder Capital Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a $0.23 dividend. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 31st. Ladder Capital's dividend payout ratio is currently 180.39%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on LADR. B. Riley Financial assumed coverage on Ladder Capital in a research note on Monday, January 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $13.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Ladder Capital in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Susquehanna set a $13.00 price target on shares of Ladder Capital in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. BTIG Research reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $13.50 price target on shares of Ladder Capital in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Ladder Capital from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $12.92.

Institutional Trading of Ladder Capital

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ladder Capital by 63.8% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,390 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 931 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in Ladder Capital by 500.0% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,000 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in Ladder Capital in the third quarter valued at $34,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in Ladder Capital in the third quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in Ladder Capital by 531.7% in the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 3,822 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 3,217 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.25% of the company's stock.

About Ladder Capital

Ladder Capital Corp NYSE: LADR is a publicly traded commercial real estate finance company structured as a real estate investment trust. The firm specializes in originating, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of commercial mortgage loans, subordinate financings such as mezzanine loans and B-notes, and equity investments. In addition to direct lending activities, Ladder Capital invests in and manages commercial mortgage‐backed securities (CMBS) and commercial real estate collateralized loan obligations (CRE CLOs), providing financing across a range of property types including office, retail, multifamily, industrial and hospitality assets.

Since its inception in 2008, Ladder Capital has developed a platform that supports both balance-sheet lending and structured securitization.

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