Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR) Shares Sold by Blue Trust Inc.

Blue Trust Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR) by 15.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,399 shares of the energy company’s stock after selling 256 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in Matador Resources were worth $79,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MTDR. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in Matador Resources by 8.3% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 217,895 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $10,768,000 after acquiring an additional 16,681 shares during the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Matador Resources in the 3rd quarter valued at about $202,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in Matador Resources by 26.8% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,685 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $133,000 after acquiring an additional 568 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Matador Resources by 43.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,517 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $520,000 after acquiring an additional 3,181 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Trust Walden Corp acquired a new stake in Matador Resources in the 3rd quarter valued at about $51,788,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.98% of the company’s stock.

Matador Resources Stock Performance

Shares of MTDR stock opened at $53.10 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.62 billion, a PE ratio of 7.44 and a beta of 3.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Matador Resources has a 52 week low of $47.15 and a 52 week high of $71.08. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $58.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of $55.82.

Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 18th. The energy company reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.88 by ($0.05). Matador Resources had a net margin of 25.26% and a return on equity of 18.52%. The company had revenue of $970.37 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $967.10 million. On average, research analysts predict that Matador Resources will post 8.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Matador Resources Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.3125 per share. This is a boost from Matador Resources’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Matador Resources’s dividend payout ratio is currently 17.51%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Matador Resources from $77.00 to $71.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Matador Resources from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $72.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, January 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Matador Resources in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Stephens raised their price target on shares of Matador Resources from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Matador Resources from $74.00 to $73.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $75.14.

Insider Buying and Selling at Matador Resources

In other Matador Resources news, EVP William Thomas Elsener bought 800 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $56.60 per share, with a total value of $45,280.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now directly owns 102,964 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,827,762.40. The trade was a 0.78 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Joseph Wm Foran bought 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $55.18 per share, for a total transaction of $110,360.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 42,251 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,331,410.18. This trade represents a 4.97 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have purchased 2,980 shares of company stock worth $165,988 over the last three months. Insiders own 6.10% of the company’s stock.

Matador Resources Profile

Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production; and Midstream. The company primarily holds interests in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas.