Stellus Capital Investment Co. (NYSE:SCM) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Stellus Capital Investment Co. (NYSE:SCM) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 326,800 shares, an increase of 72.6% from the January 31st total of 189,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 142,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.3 days.

Stellus Capital Investment Stock Up 1.5 %

NYSE SCM traded up $0.23 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $15.50. 219,799 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 139,650. The stock has a market capitalization of $419.40 million, a PE ratio of 7.91 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Stellus Capital Investment has a 12 month low of $12.72 and a 12 month high of $15.56. The company has a 50 day moving average of $14.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.05.

Stellus Capital Investment Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Monday, February 3rd were issued a $0.1333 dividend. This represents a yield of 10.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 31st. Stellus Capital Investment’s dividend payout ratio is currently 81.63%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in shares of Stellus Capital Investment by 30.1% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,973 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $316,000 after acquiring an additional 5,314 shares during the last quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Stellus Capital Investment during the fourth quarter valued at $244,000. Virtus ETF Advisers LLC raised its holdings in shares of Stellus Capital Investment by 17.4% during the fourth quarter. Virtus ETF Advisers LLC now owns 65,584 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $902,000 after purchasing an additional 9,736 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Stellus Capital Investment in the 4th quarter worth about $3,328,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc lifted its position in shares of Stellus Capital Investment by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 173,702 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,393,000 after buying an additional 1,527 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 13.22% of the company’s stock.

About Stellus Capital Investment

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.