Sandstorm Gold (NYSE:SAND) Shares Gap Down - What's Next?

Sandstorm Gold Ltd (NYSE:SAND - Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $9.31, but opened at $9.02. Sandstorm Gold shares last traded at $9.11, with a volume of 346,301 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Raymond James Financial set a $9.75 price objective on shares of Sandstorm Gold and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Sandstorm Gold from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. HC Wainwright upped their price target on shares of Sandstorm Gold from $11.50 to $11.75 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Sandstorm Gold from $7.25 to $8.25 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Sandstorm Gold from $6.50 to $7.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, April 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $9.25.

Sandstorm Gold Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.76 billion, a PE ratio of 94.11 and a beta of 0.46. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $8.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.21.

Sandstorm Gold (NYSE:SAND - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.05 by ($0.01). Sandstorm Gold had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 2.00%. The business had revenue of $50.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $71.61 million. On average, research analysts expect that Sandstorm Gold Ltd will post 0.18 EPS for the current year.

Sandstorm Gold Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be given a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. This is an increase from Sandstorm Gold's previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. Sandstorm Gold's dividend payout ratio is 60.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sandstorm Gold

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. purchased a new stake in shares of Sandstorm Gold during the fourth quarter worth approximately $56,000. Lifeworks Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sandstorm Gold during the fourth quarter worth $57,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Sandstorm Gold by 21.0% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 13,897 shares of the company's stock valued at $78,000 after buying an additional 2,416 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Sandstorm Gold in the fourth quarter valued at about $86,000. Finally, Venture Visionary Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sandstorm Gold in the first quarter worth about $91,000. 51.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sandstorm Gold

Sandstorm Gold Ltd. operates as a gold royalty company. The company focuses on acquiring royalties and gold and other metals purchase agreements from companies that have advanced stage operating mines. It offers upfront payments for companies to acquire a stream and receives the right to purchase a percentage of a mine's production for the life of the mine.