Brokerages Set MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA) PT at $12.92

Shares of MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the six analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $12.92.

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of MFA Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 28th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of MFA Financial from $12.50 to $12.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $10.00 price target on shares of MFA Financial and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, JMP Securities reduced their target price on shares of MFA Financial from $12.50 to $12.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 17th.

MFA Financial Price Performance

MFA stock traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $9.66. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,256,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,088,451. The stock has a market capitalization of $991.09 million, a P/E ratio of 9.85 and a beta of 1.66. The company's fifty day moving average price is $9.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.01. MFA Financial has a twelve month low of $7.85 and a twelve month high of $13.45.

MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.33 by ($0.04). MFA Financial had a return on equity of 9.44% and a net margin of 18.86%. The firm had revenue of $57.54 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $48.80 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.35 EPS. Equities analysts expect that MFA Financial will post 1.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MFA Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 14.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. MFA Financial's dividend payout ratio is presently 146.94%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MFA Financial

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MFA. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in MFA Financial in the first quarter valued at $25,000. National Bank of Canada FI bought a new stake in shares of MFA Financial in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of MFA Financial by 823.4% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 3,278 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 2,923 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of MFA Financial in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of MFA Financial in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $46,000. 65.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MFA Financial Company Profile

MFA Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment trust in the United States. It invests in residential mortgage securities, including non-agency mortgage-backed securities, agency MBS, and credit risk transfer securities; residential whole loans, including purchased performing loans, purchased credit deteriorated, and non-performing loans; and mortgage servicing rights related assets.