Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (NASDAQ:CGBD) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (NASDAQ:CGBD) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,122,996 shares, an increase of 83.9% from the December 15th total of 610,807 shares. Currently, 2.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 572,707 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 572,707 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 2.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Carlyle Secured Lending news, Director John G. Nestor sold 7,085 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.87, for a total value of $84,098.95. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 7,508 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $89,119.96. This represents a 48.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.61% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Carlyle Secured Lending

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Carlyle Secured Lending during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,158,000. Choreo LLC bought a new position in Carlyle Secured Lending during the second quarter valued at about $20,529,000. Cliffwater LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Carlyle Secured Lending in the second quarter worth $7,505,000. Two Sigma Investments LP grew its stake in Carlyle Secured Lending by 199.4% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 727,570 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,095,000 after buying an additional 484,581 shares during the last quarter. Finally, North Ground Capital bought a new position in Carlyle Secured Lending in the 3rd quarter worth $5,952,000. 24.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Carlyle Secured Lending Price Performance

Shares of CGBD opened at $12.86 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $12.54 and its 200-day moving average is $13.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The company has a market capitalization of $655.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.90 and a beta of 0.69. Carlyle Secured Lending has a fifty-two week low of $11.55 and a fifty-two week high of $18.64.

Carlyle Secured Lending (NASDAQ:CGBD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.38 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.39 by ($0.01). Carlyle Secured Lending had a net margin of 30.18% and a return on equity of 9.24%. The company had revenue of $66.51 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $69.61 million. Equities research analysts expect that Carlyle Secured Lending will post 1.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Carlyle Secured Lending Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.4%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 31st. Carlyle Secured Lending’s payout ratio is currently 135.59%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on CGBD shares. B. Riley dropped their target price on shares of Carlyle Secured Lending from $14.50 to $13.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Citizens Jmp assumed coverage on Carlyle Secured Lending in a report on Monday, December 8th. They issued a “market perform” rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Carlyle Secured Lending from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Zacks Research raised Carlyle Secured Lending from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Carlyle Secured Lending in a research note on Monday, December 8th. They issued a “market perform” rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Carlyle Secured Lending has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $14.33.

About Carlyle Secured Lending

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc (NASDAQ: CGBD) is a closed-end, non-diversified business development company that provides customized debt financing solutions to middle-market companies. Chartered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the company invests primarily in floating-rate senior secured loans, including first-lien, unitranche and one-stop structures. Its objective is to generate current income and capital appreciation through disciplined credit selection and active portfolio management.

The firm focuses on U.S.