Zacks Research Upgrades Virtu Financial (NYSE:VIRT) to “Strong-Buy”

Virtu Financial (NYSE:VIRT) was upgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Virtu Financial’s Q3 2026 earnings at $1.15 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.25 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $6.13 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $6.14 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.44 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.35 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.36 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.43 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.48 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.49 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.74 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.73 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.71 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.39 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.30 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.31 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $5.48 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $5.43 EPS.

Several other research firms have also commented on VIRT. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Virtu Financial from $61.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Virtu Financial from $51.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Virtu Financial from $51.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Virtu Financial in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Virtu Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $58.80.

Virtu Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VIRT opened at $66.96 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $10.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $60.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Virtu Financial has a 12 month low of $31.55 and a 12 month high of $68.68.

Virtu Financial (NYSE:VIRT) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 14th. The company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter. Virtu Financial had a net margin of 13.50% and a return on equity of 49.06%. The business had revenue of $984.69 million for the quarter. Virtu Financial has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.820-1.820 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Virtu Financial will post 6.38 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Virtu Financial

In related news, Director John Nixon sold 9,094 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.13, for a total value of $546,822.22. Following the transaction, the director owned 30,902 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,858,137.26. This trade represents a 22.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Joseph J. Grano, Jr. sold 8,400 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.94, for a total transaction of $511,896.00. Following the sale, the director owned 33,814 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,060,625.16. This trade represents a 19.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 46.76% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtu Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in Virtu Financial by 1,624.1% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 942 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in Virtu Financial in the 1st quarter worth approximately $222,000. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in Virtu Financial during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,934,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in Virtu Financial by 13.4% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 226,233 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,624,000 after purchasing an additional 26,743 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning purchased a new position in shares of Virtu Financial in the second quarter valued at about $235,000. 45.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Virtu Financial

Here are the key news stories impacting Virtu Financial this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Upward earnings revisions: Zacks Research raised its FY2027 EPS forecast to $5.74 from $5.73 and its FY2028 forecast to $5.48 from $5.43. The firm also increased its estimates for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of FY2027, as well as Q2 FY2028, by $0.01 to $0.02 per share. These revisions indicate slightly improved expectations for Virtu’s future profitability. Virtu Financial analyst estimate revisions
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks momentum and Strong Buy recognition: Virtu was added to Zacks’ Rank #1 (Strong Buy) lists for both momentum and new Strong Buy stocks on August 27. This could attract additional momentum-oriented investor interest, although it contrasts with Zacks Research’s separate Hold rating. Best Momentum Stocks to Buy for August 27th New Strong Buy Stocks for August 27th
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation discussion: A Zacks comparison of Virtu and Moody’s examines which stock offers better value, but the article does not provide a clear new company-specific catalyst in the supplied information. VIRT vs. MCO: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
• Neutral Sentiment: On-chain repo transaction: The reported completion of a fully on-chain repo transaction using a sovereign digital bond may highlight broader financial-market infrastructure trends, but no direct impact on Virtu’s operations or earnings was identified. First Fully Onchain Repo Transaction Completed Using a Sovereign Digital Bond

About Virtu Financial

Virtu Financial, Inc is a technology-driven electronic trading firm and market maker that provides liquidity and price discovery across a wide range of financial instruments. Leveraging advanced analytics, high-performance computing and proprietary algorithms, Virtu operates in equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, commodities and derivative products. Its technology platform is designed to capture bid-ask spreads in real time, manage risk through automated controls and adapt to changing market conditions.

The company offers a suite of execution services and market-making solutions to institutional clients such as asset managers, banks, broker-dealers and hedge funds.