Edgewell Personal Care Co (NYSE:EPC) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Edgewell Personal Care Co (NYSE:EPC) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,580,000 shares, a growth of 5.3% from the September 15th total of 2,450,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 444,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.8 days. Currently, 5.3% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Edgewell Personal Care Stock Performance

EPC stock traded up $0.12 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $35.93. 348,477 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 397,578. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The business has a 50-day moving average of $37.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.18. Edgewell Personal Care has a 52 week low of $33.27 and a 52 week high of $41.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a PE ratio of 15.03 and a beta of 0.86.

Edgewell Personal Care (NYSE:EPC) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.21. Edgewell Personal Care had a return on equity of 9.92% and a net margin of 5.26%. The business had revenue of $647.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $649.67 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.98 EPS. Edgewell Personal Care’s revenue for the quarter was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Edgewell Personal Care will post 3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Edgewell Personal Care Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.67%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 4th. Edgewell Personal Care’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.10%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Edgewell Personal Care from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Edgewell Personal Care from $40.00 to $37.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 11th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Edgewell Personal Care from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Edgewell Personal Care from $50.00 to $40.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $41.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Edgewell Personal Care

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in EPC. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new stake in shares of Edgewell Personal Care in the second quarter valued at $33,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new position in Edgewell Personal Care during the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Edgewell Personal Care in the second quarter worth about $53,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Edgewell Personal Care in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $76,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in shares of Edgewell Personal Care in the second quarter worth approximately $84,000. 91.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Edgewell Personal Care

Edgewell Personal Care Company is a manufacturer and marketer of personal care products in the wet shave, sun and skin care, feminine care and infant care categories. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had a portfolio of over 25 brands. It manages its business in four segments: Wet Shave, Sun and Skin Care, Feminine Care and All Other.