Regional Management (NYSE: RM – Get a rating) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a “strong buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note released Friday to investors.

Separately, Zacks Investment Research downgraded regional management from a “strong buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a Wednesday, Feb. 2 research report.

RM stock opened at $46.57 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $457.64 million, a P/E ratio of 5.59 and a beta of 1.32. Regional management has a 12-month low of $35.23 and a 12-month high of $67.60. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $49.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $54.27. The company has a current ratio of 27.76, a quick ratio of 27.76 and a debt ratio of 3.88.

Regional Management (NYSE: RM – Get a rating) last announced its quarterly results on Wednesday, February 9. The credit services provider reported earnings per share of $2.04 for the quarter, beating analyst consensus estimates of $1.79 by $0.25. The company posted revenue of $119.48 million in the quarter, compared to $116.84 million expected by analysts. Regional Management posted a return on equity of 31.59% and a net margin of 20.70%. In the same quarter last year, the company posted earnings per share of $1.28. Research analysts predict that regional management will post EPS of 6.49 for the current fiscal year.

In other Regional Management news, the CEO Robert William Beck sold 5,000 shares of the company in a trade that took place on Tuesday, March 8. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.74, for a total value of $238,700.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, accessible via the SEC website. Additionally, Basswood Capital Management director L sold 2,367 shares of Regional Management in a trade that took place on Wednesday, February 16. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.92, for a total value of $127,628.64. Disclosure of this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 9.70% of the company’s shares.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently changed their MR holdings. Forager Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in the shares of Regional Management in the 4th quarter at a value of $25,332,000. Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Regional Management shares by 12.9% in the 4th quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 211,182 shares of the credit service provider valued at $12,135,000 after purchasing an additional 24,151 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Regional Management shares by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 183,836 shares of the credit service provider valued at $10,556,000 after purchasing an additional 19,221 shares during the period. Khrom Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Regional Management shares by 12.2% in the 4th quarter. Khrom Capital Management LLC now owns 174,139 shares of the credit service provider valued at $10,006,000 after purchasing an additional 19,000 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Regional Management shares by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 163,734 shares of the credit service provider valued at $9,526,000 after purchasing an additional 16,691 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors hold 85.57% of the company’s shares.

Regional Management Company Profile (Get a rating)

Regional Management Corp., a diversified consumer finance company, offers various installment loan products primarily to customers with limited access to consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies and other lenders in the United States. It offers small and large installment loans; and retail loans to finance the purchase of furniture, appliances and other retail products.

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