MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA) Stock Rating Upgraded by Jones Trading

MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Jones Trading to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $10.00 price objective on MFA Financial and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on MFA Financial from $12.50 to $12.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of MFA Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 28th. Finally, JMP Securities reduced their price objective on shares of MFA Financial from $12.50 to $12.00 and set a "market outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MFA Financial has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $12.21.

MFA Financial Stock Down 2.1%

MFA Financial stock traded down $0.21 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $9.47. The stock had a trading volume of 2,474,711 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,116,506. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $9.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.93. MFA Financial has a 12 month low of $7.85 and a 12 month high of $13.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $971.58 million, a PE ratio of 9.66 and a beta of 1.63.

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MFA Financial

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of MFA Financial during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. National Bank of Canada FI bought a new position in shares of MFA Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its position in 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 worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 2,923 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new stake in MFA Financial in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Finally, New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in MFA Financial during the fourth quarter valued at about $121,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.28% of the company's stock.

About MFA Financial

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.