Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 72,920,000 shares, a growth of 5.8% from the March 15th total of 68,950,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,660,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 15.6 days.

Insider Activity at Arbor Realty Trust

In related news, Director William C. Green purchased 10,209 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 18th. The shares were bought at an average price of $12.93 per share, for a total transaction of $132,002.37. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 162,809 shares in the company, valued at $2,105,120.37. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 3.40% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Arbor Realty Trust

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABR. Financial Freedom LLC purchased a new stake in Arbor Realty Trust during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. State of Wyoming purchased a new position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. raised its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 671.7% during the 4th quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 2,315 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 2,015 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 57.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on ABR shares. TheStreet upgraded Arbor Realty Trust from a "d+" rating to a "c" rating in a report on Monday, March 18th. JMP Securities lowered their price objective on Arbor Realty Trust from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a "market outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Arbor Realty Trust from $12.50 to $12.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Arbor Realty Trust from $13.50 to $13.25 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Finally, Wedbush reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $13.00 price objective (down from $17.00) on shares of Arbor Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $14.71.

Arbor Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ABR traded down $0.11 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $12.07. The stock had a trading volume of 4,766,627 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,649,939. The firm has a market cap of $2.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.82 and a beta of 1.97. The company has a current ratio of 36.02, a quick ratio of 36.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.21. Arbor Realty Trust has a fifty-two week low of $10.10 and a fifty-two week high of $17.74. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $12.89 and a 200-day moving average of $13.55.

Arbor Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 4th were given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 1st. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 14.25%. Arbor Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.73%.

About Arbor Realty Trust

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates through Structured Business and Agency Business segments. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities.

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