Short Interest in Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) Expands By 5.8%

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 72,920,000 shares, a growth of 5.8% from the March 15th total of 68,950,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 4,660,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 15.6 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Arbor Realty Trust from $13.50 to $13.25 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. TheStreet upgraded Arbor Realty Trust from a “d+” rating to a “c” rating in a report on Monday, March 18th. Wedbush reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $13.00 price target (down from $17.00) on shares of Arbor Realty Trust in a report on Thursday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Arbor Realty Trust from $12.50 to $12.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Finally, JMP Securities cut their price objective on shares of Arbor Realty Trust from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $14.71.

Insider Activity at Arbor Realty Trust

In related news, Director William C. Green purchased 10,209 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $12.93 per share, for a total transaction of $132,002.37. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 162,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,105,120.37. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 3.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Arbor Realty Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,954,364 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $29,667,000 after purchasing an additional 100,371 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,924,099 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $29,208,000 after purchasing an additional 145,172 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 8.1% during the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 592,757 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $8,998,000 after purchasing an additional 44,468 shares during the last quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 8.8% during the 4th quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 15,566 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $236,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Arbor Realty Trust by 25.4% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 484,520 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $7,355,000 after buying an additional 98,283 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.25% of the company’s stock.

Arbor Realty Trust Stock Down 0.9 %

NYSE ABR traded down $0.11 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $12.07. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 4,770,119 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,136,735. Arbor Realty Trust has a 52 week low of $10.10 and a 52 week high of $17.74. The company has a market capitalization of $2.28 billion, a PE ratio of 6.86 and a beta of 1.97. The company has a current ratio of 36.02, a quick ratio of 36.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.21. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $12.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $13.53.

Arbor Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 4th were paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 1st. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 14.25%. Arbor Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.73%.

Arbor Realty Trust Company Profile

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates through Structured Business and Agency Business segments. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities.