Analysts Set KKR Real Estate Finance Trust (NYSE:KREF) Price Target at $8.40

Shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust (NYSE:KREF) have been given an average recommendation of “Reduce” by the eight analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $8.40.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Zacks Research lowered KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from $9.00 to $7.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from $8.00 to $6.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered KKR Real Estate Finance Trust from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Saturday, May 2nd.

Insider Activity at KKR Real Estate Finance Trust

In other KKR Real Estate Finance Trust news, COO W Patrick Mattson acquired 40,000 shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $6.03 per share, for a total transaction of $241,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 500,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,016,730.61. This represents a 8.69% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Matthew A. Salem bought 60,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $6.04 per share, with a total value of $362,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 703,075 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,246,573. This trade represents a 9.33% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 2.12% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On KKR Real Estate Finance Trust

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 210.5% in the fourth quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,099 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 2,101 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 178.3% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,537 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 2,266 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,450 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,725 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 742.0% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,151 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 3,658 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in shares of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust by 5,654.7% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 6,100 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 5,994 shares during the last quarter. 70.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Stock Up 2.1%

Shares of NYSE KREF opened at $6.47 on Thursday. KKR Real Estate Finance Trust has a 1 year low of $5.25 and a 1 year high of $9.98. The firm has a market cap of $415.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.48 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.90, a quick ratio of 407.64 and a current ratio of 407.64. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $6.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.46.

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust (NYSE:KREF) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.17). The business had revenue of $20.89 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $28.76 million. KKR Real Estate Finance Trust had a negative return on equity of 0.78% and a negative net margin of 23.55%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that KKR Real Estate Finance Trust will post -1.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. KKR Real Estate Finance Trust’s payout ratio is currently -53.76%.

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Company Profile

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc (NYSE: KREF) is a mortgage real estate investment trust sponsored by KKR & Co Inc The company focuses on originating, acquiring, financing and managing a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate debt and real estate-related assets across the United States and select European markets.

The trust’s investment strategy is centered on lending to high-quality office, industrial, retail, multifamily and hotel properties. Its portfolio primarily consists of senior mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, floating-rate debt securities and preferred equity positions.