Short Interest in Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:STWD) Rises By 27.3%

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:STWD) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 15,410,000 shares, an increase of 27.3% from the March 15th total of 12,110,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,580,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.0 days. Currently, 4.8% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Starwood Property Trust Price Performance

Shares of STWD stock traded down $0.44 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $18.12. The stock had a trading volume of 881,211 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,447,280. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.49 and a beta of 1.34. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $19.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.61, a current ratio of 1.79 and a quick ratio of 1.79. Starwood Property Trust has a one year low of $16.59 and a one year high of $21.17.

Starwood Property Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.60%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. Starwood Property Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 174.55%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Starwood Property Trust

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of STWD. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Starwood Property Trust in the fourth quarter worth about $63,044,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Starwood Property Trust in the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,841,000. Leeward Investments LLC MA bought a new position in shares of Starwood Property Trust during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $24,791,000. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Starwood Property Trust by 16.2% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,287,030 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $100,189,000 after buying an additional 736,699 shares during the period. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth lifted its position in Starwood Property Trust by 305.4% in the fourth quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 670,093 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $12,699,000 after buying an additional 504,812 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.82% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Starwood Property Trust from $19.50 to $19.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Starwood Property Trust from $20.00 to $19.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on Starwood Property Trust from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $21.86.

About Starwood Property Trust

Starwood Property Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Commercial and Residential Lending, Infrastructure Lending, Property, and Investing and Servicing segments. The Commercial and Residential Lending segment originates, acquires, finances, and manages commercial first mortgages, non-agency residential mortgages, subordinated mortgages, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), and residential mortgage-backed securities, as well as other real estate and real estate-related debt investments, include distressed or non-performing loans.