FutureFuel Corp. (NYSE:FF) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

FutureFuel Corp. (NYSE:FF) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 557,023 shares, a growth of 30.4% from the December 31st total of 427,066 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 209,614 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days. Approximately 2.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Approximately 2.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 209,614 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of FutureFuel in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Sell”.

Insider Transactions at FutureFuel

In other FutureFuel news, CEO Roeland Polet acquired 15,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $3.20 per share, with a total value of $48,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 25,000 shares in the company, valued at $80,000. This trade represents a 150.00% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 42.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FutureFuel

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of FutureFuel by 10.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 958,499 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $3,720,000 after buying an additional 92,481 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of FutureFuel by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 685,617 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $2,660,000 after acquiring an additional 25,291 shares in the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in FutureFuel by 8.1% in the third quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 467,991 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $1,816,000 after purchasing an additional 34,994 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in shares of FutureFuel by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 417,329 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $1,619,000 after acquiring an additional 17,546 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its holdings in shares of FutureFuel by 28.2% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 365,960 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $1,420,000 after purchasing an additional 80,418 shares during the last quarter. 44.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

FutureFuel Price Performance

FF stock traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $3.42. 228,249 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 174,896. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $3.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.66. FutureFuel has a 52 week low of $3.09 and a 52 week high of $5.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $149.75 million, a PE ratio of -4.33 and a beta of 0.70.

FutureFuel (NYSE:FF) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The energy company reported ($0.21) EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $22.69 million during the quarter. FutureFuel had a negative net margin of 25.17% and a negative return on equity of 18.66%.

FutureFuel Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 4th. FutureFuel’s payout ratio is -30.38%.

About FutureFuel

FutureFuel Corporation (NYSE: FF) operates as a specialty chemicals and biofuels producer, combining industrial chemistry with renewable energy solutions. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, FutureFuel Chemical Company, it manufactures a diverse portfolio of chemical products that serve fiber and textile applications, agricultural markets, water treatment processes and industrial coatings. In parallel, the company produces biodiesel using vegetable oils and animal fats as feedstocks, supplying both wholesale fuel distributors and commercial users seeking lower-carbon fuel alternatives.

The company’s manufacturing hub is located in Decatur, Arkansas, on a site originally constructed as an ordnance plant during World War II.