Monroe Capital Co. (NASDAQ:MRCC) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Monroe Capital Co. (NASDAQ:MRCC) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 66,800 shares, a decrease of 18.6% from the February 13th total of 82,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 62,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Monroe Capital Price Performance

MRCC traded up $0.05 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $7.91. 39,613 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 59,856. The company has a market cap of $171.38 million, a P/E ratio of 13.18 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 4.37 and a current ratio of 4.37. Monroe Capital has a 12-month low of $7.00 and a 12-month high of $8.85. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $8.27.

Monroe Capital Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.64%. Monroe Capital’s dividend payout ratio is currently 222.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on MRCC. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on shares of Monroe Capital from $9.00 to $8.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Monroe Capital from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, B. Riley cut Monroe Capital from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $7.25 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, December 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Monroe Capital

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Garden State Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Monroe Capital during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $210,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its position in Monroe Capital by 8.2% during the fourth quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 36,882 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $313,000 after purchasing an additional 2,803 shares during the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Monroe Capital by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 56,600 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $481,000 after buying an additional 1,650 shares in the last quarter. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC increased its holdings in shares of Monroe Capital by 197.3% in the 4th quarter. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC now owns 64,810 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $551,000 after buying an additional 43,010 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aspiriant LLC increased its holdings in shares of Monroe Capital by 18.2% in the 4th quarter. Aspiriant LLC now owns 13,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $110,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter.

About Monroe Capital

Monroe Capital Corporation is a business development company specializing in customized financing solutions in senior, unitranche and junior secured debt, subordinated debt financing and to a lesser extent, unsecured debt and equity, including equity co-investments in preferred and common stock and warrants.