Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 122,500 shares, an increase of 82.6% from the April 30th total of 67,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 72,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days. Approximately 1.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Amtech Systems

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Amtech Systems by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 132,756 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $724,000 after acquiring an additional 4,689 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Amtech Systems by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 931,198 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $5,075,000 after purchasing an additional 7,068 shares during the last quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Amtech Systems by 15.1% in the first quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 75,400 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 9,900 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in Amtech Systems by 82.7% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 22,706 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 10,281 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Amtech Systems by 31.7% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 44,816 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $244,000 after purchasing an additional 10,791 shares during the last quarter. 50.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Amtech Systems from a "buy" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd.

Amtech Systems Trading Up 2.3%

ASYS traded up $0.09 on Wednesday, reaching $4.00. The stock had a trading volume of 18,726 shares, compared to its average volume of 50,526. The company has a market capitalization of $57.26 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.01 and a beta of 1.53. Amtech Systems has a fifty-two week low of $3.20 and a fifty-two week high of $6.96. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $3.86 and a 200-day moving average of $4.83.

Amtech Systems Company Profile

Amtech Systems, Inc manufactures and sells capital equipment and related consumables for use in fabricating silicon carbide (SiC), silicon power devices, analog and discrete devices, electronic assemblies, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) worldwide. The company operates through Semiconductor and Material and Substrate segments.