Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF) Short Interest Update

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF) was the target of a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,780,000 shares, an increase of 9.6% from the March 31st total of 4,360,000 shares. Currently, 1.9% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,600,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days.

Fidelity National Financial Stock Performance

FNF opened at $50.56 on Tuesday. Fidelity National Financial has a 1 year low of $32.02 and a 1 year high of $53.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.21 and a quick ratio of 0.21. The company has a market capitalization of $13.81 billion, a PE ratio of 26.47 and a beta of 1.34. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $48.01.

Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The financial services provider reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.02 by ($0.27). The firm had revenue of $3.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.80 billion. Fidelity National Financial had a return on equity of 13.91% and a net margin of 4.40%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.06 EPS. Research analysts expect that Fidelity National Financial will post 4.81 EPS for the current year.

Fidelity National Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 14th. Fidelity National Financial’s dividend payout ratio is presently 100.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on FNF shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Fidelity National Financial from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 21st. Barclays raised their price target on Fidelity National Financial from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 9th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Fidelity National Financial from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Fidelity National Financial in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $54.20.

Insider Activity at Fidelity National Financial

In other news, Director Cary H. Thompson sold 23,410 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.11, for a total transaction of $1,196,485.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 40,317 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,060,601.87. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Fidelity National Financial news, Director Halim Dhanidina sold 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.64, for a total transaction of $151,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 14,906 shares in the company, valued at $754,839.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Cary H. Thompson sold 23,410 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.11, for a total transaction of $1,196,485.10. Following the sale, the director now owns 40,317 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,060,601.87. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 5.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fidelity National Financial

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in Fidelity National Financial in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Baystate Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Fidelity National Financial by 5,300.0% during the 3rd quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 594 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 583 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Fidelity National Financial in the first quarter valued at about $31,000. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 116.0% in the first quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 674 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 362 shares during the period. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 107.0% in the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 737 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 381 shares during the period. 81.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Fidelity National Financial

Fidelity National Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various insurance products in the United States. The company operates through Title, F&G, and Corporate and Other segments. It offers title insurance, escrow, and other title related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances, and home warranty products.