Federal Agricultural Mortgage Co. (NYSE:AGM) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Co. (NYSE:AGM - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 138,400 shares, a growth of 9.1% from the March 31st total of 126,900 shares. Currently, 1.5% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 68,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Stock Down 1.8 %

Federal Agricultural Mortgage stock traded down $3.47 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $186.13. 39,528 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 63,742. The company has a current ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The stock has a market cap of $2.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.77 and a beta of 1.07. Federal Agricultural Mortgage has a 1-year low of $122.96 and a 1-year high of $199.40. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $186.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $177.83.

Federal Agricultural Mortgage (NYSE:AGM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The credit services provider reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.70 by $0.40. The company had revenue of $354.15 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $86.86 million. Federal Agricultural Mortgage had a return on equity of 22.68% and a net margin of 14.13%. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.16 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Federal Agricultural Mortgage will post 17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th were given a dividend of $1.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 14th. This is an increase from Federal Agricultural Mortgage's previous quarterly dividend of $1.10. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. Federal Agricultural Mortgage's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.42%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in Federal Agricultural Mortgage during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Federal Agricultural Mortgage during the third quarter worth about $31,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Federal Agricultural Mortgage by 194.2% during the first quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 203 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the period. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Federal Agricultural Mortgage by 304.6% in the fourth quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 263 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. raised its stake in shares of Federal Agricultural Mortgage by 464.7% in the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 288 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 237 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.03% of the company's stock.

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Company Profile

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation provides a secondary market for various loans made to borrowers in the United States. It operates through four segments: Corporate AgFinance, Farm & Ranch, Rural Utilities, and Renewable Energy. The company's Agricultural Finance line of business engages in purchasing and retaining eligible loans and securities; guaranteeing the payment of principal and interest on securities that represent interests in or obligations secured by pools of eligible loans; servicing eligible loans; and issuing LTSPCs for eligible loans.