Stock Traders Buy High Volume of Capital One Financial Call Options (NYSE:COF)

Capital One Financial Co. (NYSE:COF) was the target of some unusual options trading on Wednesday. Investors purchased 13,852 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 52% compared to the typical volume of 9,098 call options.

Capital One Financial Price Performance

Shares of Capital One Financial stock opened at $190.89 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $72.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $151.92 and its 200 day moving average is $144.43. Capital One Financial has a one year low of $102.63 and a one year high of $198.30.

Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The financial services provider reported $4.51 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.70 by $0.81. The firm had revenue of $10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.88 billion. Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 9.00% and a net margin of 8.80%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.45 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Capital One Financial will post 13.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Capital One Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 14th will be given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 14th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.26%. Capital One Financial’s payout ratio is currently 22.66%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

COF has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Capital One Financial from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Capital One Financial from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Capital One Financial from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Capital One Financial in a research note on Friday, September 20th. They set a “buy” rating and a $190.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $154.00 to $158.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Capital One Financial presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $156.35.

Insider Buying and Selling at Capital One Financial

In related news, insider Frank G. LapradeIii sold 15,751 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $2,520,160.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 44,711 shares in the company, valued at $7,153,760. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Capital One Financial

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. LRI Investments LLC bought a new stake in Capital One Financial during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd purchased a new stake in Capital One Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Capital One Financial during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Capital One Financial during the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Capital One Financial in the third quarter worth $36,000. 89.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Capital One Financial

Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking.