Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY) Short Interest Up 307.7% in August

Key Points

• Bank Hapoalim experienced a significant increase in short interest, rising by 307.7% to 5,300 shares as of August 31st, with a short-interest ratio of 0.3 days.
• Analysts have rated Bank Hapoalim as a "hold", with a consensus rating reflecting cautious sentiment about its stock performance.
• The bank recently announced a dividend increase to $1.0505 per share, representing a dividend yield of 238.0%, significantly up from the previous dividend of $0.54.

Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 5,300 shares, an increase of 307.7% from the August 15th total of 1,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 20,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 20,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Bank Hapoalim Stock Down 3.7%

Shares of BKHYY stock traded down $3.57 on Wednesday, reaching $92.97. 1,953 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,520. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The business's 50 day moving average price is $95.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $83.19. The company has a market capitalization of $24.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.67 and a beta of 1.15. Bank Hapoalim has a twelve month low of $47.39 and a twelve month high of $100.26.

Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 13th. The bank reported $2.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.32. Bank Hapoalim had a net margin of 20.12% and a return on equity of 14.21%. The firm had revenue of $1.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.97 billion.

Bank Hapoalim Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 26th were issued a dividend of $1.0505 per share. This is an increase from Bank Hapoalim's previous dividend of $0.54. This represents a yield of 238.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 25th. Bank Hapoalim's dividend payout ratio is currently 47.99%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Zacks Research upgraded Bank Hapoalim to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold".

About Bank Hapoalim

Bank Hapoalim B.M., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial products and services in Israel and internationally. It operates through Household, Private Banking, Small businesses and micro businesses, Mid-sized businesses, Large businesses, Institutional entities, and Financial management segments.