Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE:FBRT) Sets New 1-Year Low - What's Next?

Key Points

• Franklin BSP Realty Trust shares hit a new 52-week low, falling to $7.33 and trading below both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
• Analyst sentiment is mixed but averages a “Hold” rating, with a consensus price target of $11.00—well above the current share price.
• The company reported quarterly EPS of $0.25, slightly above estimates, but revenue fell short of forecasts. It also declared a $0.20 quarterly dividend, representing a 10.9% yield, though its payout ratio is high at 181.82%.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FBRT - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $7.33 and last traded at $7.3650, with a volume of 136922 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.46.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on FBRT. Zacks Research upgraded Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, July 10th. BTIG Research lowered Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, September 18th. JonesTrading reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $12.00 price objective on shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, September 11th. Weiss Ratings raised Franklin BSP Realty Trust from a "sell (d)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Citizens Jmp restated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $11.00 target price on shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Franklin BSP Realty Trust presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $11.00.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $608.30 million, a PE ratio of 16.63 and a beta of 0.93. The business's 50-day moving average is $7.99 and its 200 day moving average is $8.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.47, a quick ratio of 96.80 and a current ratio of 96.80.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE:FBRT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.01. Franklin BSP Realty Trust had a net margin of 20.49% and a return on equity of 5.82%. The business had revenue of $66.47 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $80.98 million. On average, equities research analysts predict that Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. will post 0.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 13th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.9%. Franklin BSP Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio is currently 181.82%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Franklin BSP Realty Trust

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of FBRT. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 4.6% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 634,387 shares of the company's stock worth $5,386,000 after purchasing an additional 27,746 shares during the last quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC raised its holdings in Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 12.9% during the 1st quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 556,252 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,723,000 after buying an additional 63,752 shares during the last quarter. Q Global Advisors LLC boosted its position in Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 32.1% during the 1st quarter. Q Global Advisors LLC now owns 398,078 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,380,000 after buying an additional 96,723 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 396,404 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,365,000 after buying an additional 7,466 shares during the period. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its position in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 64.3% in the first quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 188,917 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,604,000 after acquiring an additional 73,955 shares during the period. 59.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust Company Profile

Franklin BSP Realty Trust NYSE: FBRT is a real estate investment trust focused on commercial real estate finance. The company originates, acquires and manages a portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments, with an emphasis on floating-rate mortgage loans secured by institutional-quality properties.

Its investment activities may include senior mortgage loans, subordinate and mezzanine loans, bridge loans, preferred equity investments and other commercial real estate-related credit investments.

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