Stellus Capital Investment Co. (NYSE:SCM) Short Interest Up 24.4% in December

Stellus Capital Investment Co. (NYSE:SCM) saw a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 185,800 shares, an increase of 24.4% from the December 15th total of 149,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 147,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Stellus Capital Investment Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of Stellus Capital Investment stock traded up $0.11 on Friday, hitting $14.28. 178,919 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 130,979. Stellus Capital Investment has a 52-week low of $12.48 and a 52-week high of $14.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The stock has a market cap of $386.42 million, a P/E ratio of 7.29 and a beta of 1.12. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $13.76 and its 200 day moving average is $13.85.

Stellus Capital Investment Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Saturday, March 29th will be issued a $0.1333 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 28th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.20%. Stellus Capital Investment’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 81.63%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Stellus Capital Investment

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SCM. Magnetar Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Stellus Capital Investment during the second quarter worth about $544,000. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in shares of Stellus Capital Investment by 285.2% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 213,958 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,938,000 after purchasing an additional 158,415 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new stake in shares of Stellus Capital Investment in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,302,000. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in Stellus Capital Investment by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 228,375 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $3,126,000 after purchasing an additional 4,859 shares during the period. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Stellus Capital Investment by 17.6% during the 3rd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,096 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $248,000 after buying an additional 2,704 shares during the last quarter. 13.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Stellus Capital Investment Company Profile

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation is a business development company specializing in investments in private middle-market companies. It invests through first lien, second lien, unitranche, and mezzanine debt financing, often with a corresponding equity investment. The fund prefers to invest in US and Canada.