MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA) Downgraded to “Hold” Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of MFA Financial (NYSE:MFA) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Thursday morning.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on MFA. Wedbush reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of MFA Financial in a report on Thursday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of MFA Financial from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. JMP Securities boosted their target price on shares of MFA Financial from $12.50 to $13.50 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, September 6th. Finally, Raymond James upped their price target on shares of MFA Financial from $13.00 to $14.50 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, September 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MFA Financial currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $13.60.

MFA Financial Stock Performance

Shares of MFA stock traded down $0.04 during trading on Thursday, hitting $11.51. The company had a trading volume of 1,182,373 shares, compared to its average volume of 743,002. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.24 and a beta of 2.16. MFA Financial has a one year low of $9.48 and a one year high of $13.45. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $12.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.54.

MFA Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.16%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 27th. MFA Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 88.05%.

Institutional Trading of MFA Financial

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp increased its holdings in shares of MFA Financial by 82.7% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 2,658 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 1,203 shares in the last quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new stake in MFA Financial during the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new position in MFA Financial in the 3rd quarter worth about $79,000. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in MFA Financial by 17.7% in the first quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 10,030 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 1,508 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MFA Financial during the first quarter valued at about $140,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.28% of the company’s stock.

MFA Financial Company Profile

MFA Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment trust in the United States. It invests in residential mortgage securities, including non-agency mortgage-backed securities, agency MBS, and credit risk transfer securities; residential whole loans, including purchased performing loans, purchased credit deteriorated, and non-performing loans; and mortgage servicing rights related assets.