Arkema SA (OTCMKTS:ARKAY) Short Interest Up 309.1% in September

Key Points

• Arkema SA experienced a dramatic rise in short interest of 309.1% in September, increasing from 1,100 to 4,500 shares.
• The company's stock holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy", with ratings ranging from Strong Buy to Sell from various analysts.
• Arkema reported an EPS of $1.77 for the last quarter, which was below analyst expectations of $2.09, while achieving revenues of $2.75 billion against a $2.29 billion estimate.

Arkema SA (OTCMKTS:ARKAY - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 4,500 shares, a growth of 309.1% from the September 15th total of 1,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ARKAY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays downgraded Arkema from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Arkema in a report on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Arkema in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Arkema currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

Arkema Price Performance

Shares of Arkema stock opened at $60.84 on Friday. Arkema has a 12-month low of $57.21 and a 12-month high of $91.81. The firm has a market cap of $4.63 billion, a PE ratio of 19.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 2.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $67.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $70.63.

Arkema (OTCMKTS:ARKAY - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $1.77 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.09 by ($0.32). The business had revenue of $2.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.29 billion. Arkema had a net margin of 2.41% and a return on equity of 6.41%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Arkema will post 8.36 EPS for the current year.

About Arkema

Arkema SA manufactures and sells specialty chemicals and advanced materials worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions, and Intermediates. The Adhesive Solutions segment provides solutions for construction, renovation of buildings, DIY, durable goods, and packaging and non-woven applications; and supplies technologies used in building activities for businesses and individuals, including sealants, tiles, flooring adhesives and waterproofing systems, and technologies used in industry, which include automotive, textiles, glazing, flexible and rigid packaging, and hygiene markets.

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