Bae Systems PLC (OTCMKTS:BAESY) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Key Points

• Bae Systems' short interest plunged by 80.9% to 75,774 shares as of Feb. 27, leaving a short‑interest ratio of just 0.1 days and effectively 0.0% of shares shorted.
• Analyst consensus is a “Moderate Buy” (four Buys, three Holds), with recent changes including Sanford C. Bernstein cutting to "market perform," Kepler upgrading to "hold," and Jefferies reiterating "hold."
• Shares traded up 1.4% to $122.61 on Tuesday (near the 52‑week high of $123.69) on below‑average volume, while institutional ownership remains low at about 0.21% despite several funds modestly increasing stakes.

Bae Systems PLC (OTCMKTS:BAESY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 75,774 shares, a decrease of 80.9% from the February 12th total of 397,630 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 805,892 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 805,892 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BAESY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered Bae Systems from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Kepler Capital Markets upgraded shares of Bae Systems from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Bae Systems in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

Bae Systems Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of OTCMKTS BAESY traded up $1.74 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $122.61. The company had a trading volume of 306,250 shares, compared to its average volume of 664,910. Bae Systems has a 1 year low of $76.01 and a 1 year high of $123.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $109.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $102.07.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Bae Systems by 68.7% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,046 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $110,000 after buying an additional 426 shares during the period. L & S Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of Bae Systems by 27.2% in the second quarter. L & S Advisors Inc now owns 16,669 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,751,000 after acquiring an additional 3,562 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in Bae Systems by 2.9% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 5,643 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $593,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Bae Systems by 16.1% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,294 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $368,000 after acquiring an additional 456 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Confluence Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Bae Systems by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 12,215 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,365,000 after purchasing an additional 802 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.21% of the company's stock.

Bae Systems Company Profile

BAE Systems plc is a global defense, security and aerospace company that designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of military and related products and services. Formed in 1999 through the combination of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems, the company supplies platforms, systems and support across air, land, maritime and cyber domains. Its portfolio spans combat and support aircraft systems, naval shipbuilding and subsystems, armored and land combat solutions, electronic and sensor systems, munitions, and intelligence, surveillance and cybersecurity capabilities.

BAE Systems serves government and military customers worldwide, with particularly large footprints in the United Kingdom and the United States as well as operations and sales across Europe, the Middle East, Australia and other markets.

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