Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ:VRTS) Hits New 52-Week Low - Here's Why

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTS) has recently reached a new 52-week low during trading, with shares dropping to as low as $174.81 before settling at $174.45. This decline has sparked discussions among analysts and investors about whether it is time to sell.

Recent Analyst Ratings

Various equity research analysts have weighed in on Virtus Investment Partners. Barclays recently lowered its price target from $221.00 to $200.00, maintaining an "underweight" rating. Similarly, Morgan Stanley revised their price objective down from $211.00 to $198.00, also rating the stock as "underweight." In contrast, StockNews.com upgraded Virtus from a "hold" to a "buy" rating, hinting at potential upside.

Piper Sandler adjusted its price target from $274.00 to $258.00 and continues to hold an "overweight" rating. Overall, two analysts classify the stock as a sell, one rates it as hold, and two recommend buying it. The average rating currently stands at "Hold" with a consensus price target of $225.75.

Current Trading Performance

Virtus Investment Partners' stock has seen a decrease of 5.2% recently. The company currently has a fifty-day moving average price of $198.51 and a 200-day moving average price of $213.39. Notably, the business boasts a quick ratio and current ratio of 11.86, indicating strong liquidity, alongside a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. With a market capitalization of $1.20 billion, the company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is at 10.18.

Dividend Announcement

Virtus Investment Partners also announced a quarterly dividend of $2.25 per share, set to be distributed on May 14th, to shareholders recorded by April 30th. This equates to an annualized dividend of $9.00, yielding approximately 5.23%. The company's current dividend payout ratio is 53.25%, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Institutional Investment Movements

In recent trading periods, several hedge funds have adjusted their positions in Virtus Investment Partners. Quarry LP significantly increased its stake by 388.5% in the third quarter, now holding 127 shares valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares. Smartleaf Asset Management has also expanded its position by 170.3%, while other funds like R Squared Ltd and KBC Group NV have added significant shares to their portfolios. Overall, institutional investors hold approximately 80.52% of the company's stock.

About the Company

Virtus Investment Partners is a publicly traded investment management company that primarily focuses on serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of investment products, including separate client-focused equity and fixed-income portfolios, as well as mutual funds.

Final Considerations for Investors

As Virtus Investment Partners experiences a drop to its 52-week low, investors are weighing their options. Analysts are divided, with some suggesting it's a good opportunity to buy, while others caution about potential further declines. Investors should closely monitor market trends and analyst opinions before making decisions regarding their investments in Virtus.

Virtus, Investment, Stocks