Great Ajax Corp. (NYSE:AJX) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Great Ajax Corp. (NYSE:AJX) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 190,000 shares, an increase of 5.2% from the May 15th total of 180,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 134,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Great Ajax Price Performance

Shares of Great Ajax stock opened at $3.52 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.89. Great Ajax has a 1-year low of $3.11 and a 1-year high of $7.20. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $3.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.28. The company has a market capitalization of $139.25 million, a P/E ratio of -0.87 and a beta of 1.88.

Great Ajax Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.82%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 14th. Great Ajax’s dividend payout ratio is currently -5.96%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Great Ajax

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Simplex Trading LLC lifted its stake in shares of Great Ajax by 73.5% in the 4th quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 5,946 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 2,518 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in Great Ajax by 903.1% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 12,308 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 11,081 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in Great Ajax during the 4th quarter valued at $115,000. Algert Global LLC increased its position in shares of Great Ajax by 56.8% during the 3rd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 19,360 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $125,000 after purchasing an additional 7,010 shares during the period. Finally, EHP Funds Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Great Ajax in the 3rd quarter worth $154,000. Institutional investors own 58.60% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on AJX shares. StockNews.com lowered Great Ajax from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, March 25th. B. Riley reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $6.00 price objective (down previously from $8.00) on shares of Great Ajax in a report on Thursday, March 21st.

About Great Ajax

Great Ajax Corp. operates as a mortgage real estate investment trust. It acquires re-performing and non-performing loans; acquires or originates small balance commercial mortgage loans that are secured by multi-family residential and commercial mixed use retail/residential properties; and invests in single-family and smaller commercial properties.