Regional Management (NYSE:RM) Upgraded at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Regional Management (NYSE:RM) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Saturday morning,Wall Street Zen reports.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on RM. Weiss Ratings raised Regional Management from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of Regional Management in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Citizens Jmp cut their price objective on Regional Management from $45.00 to $43.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $43.00.

Regional Management Stock Down 1.1%

NYSE RM opened at $30.48 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.41, a current ratio of 64.04 and a quick ratio of 64.04. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $33.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $35.73. Regional Management has a 12 month low of $30.12 and a 12 month high of $44.29. The company has a market capitalization of $281.38 million, a P/E ratio of 6.42 and a beta of 1.00.

Regional Management (NYSE:RM) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The credit services provider reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $168.01 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $165.69 million. Regional Management had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 12.49%.

Regional Management Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were given a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 19th. Regional Management’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.26%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Lakhbir S. Lamba acquired 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 12th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $31.76 per share, with a total value of $111,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 55,734 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,770,111.84. This trade represents a 6.70% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Steven B. Barnette sold 3,274 shares of Regional Management stock in a transaction on Friday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.30, for a total transaction of $141,764.20. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 13,472 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $583,337.60. This trade represents a 19.55% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 34,396 shares of company stock valued at $1,160,905. Corporate insiders own 10.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Regional Management

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RM. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in Regional Management in the second quarter valued at about $33,000. Algert Global LLC acquired a new position in Regional Management in the 2nd quarter worth about $209,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Regional Management during the 1st quarter worth about $212,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Regional Management during the 2nd quarter worth about $266,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Regional Management during the 2nd quarter valued at about $284,000. 98.89% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Regional Management

Regional Management Corp. is a specialty consumer finance company that provides credit products to customers who may have limited access to traditional bank financing. The company operates primarily through its Regional Finance branch network and focuses on serving non-prime consumers.

Its principal products include small and large installment loans, generally used for personal, household and other consumer purposes. Regional Management may also offer optional credit-related insurance and ancillary products in connection with its loans, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Greer, South Carolina, the company serves customers across a network of branches concentrated in the southeastern and southwestern United States.