Haleon PLC Sponsored ADR (NYSE:HLN) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Short interest for Haleon PLC (NYSE: HLN) decreased by 30% in September, bringing total short interest down to 10,990,000 shares, which represents approximately 0.3% of the company's stock.
• The company recently announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.0555 per share, up from $0.05, which gives a dividend yield of 190.0% and a payout ratio of 28.21%.
• Several analysts have given mixed ratings on Haleon shares; Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to "buy," while others downgraded it, resulting in a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $12.33.

Haleon PLC Sponsored ADR (NYSE:HLN - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 10,990,000 shares, a drop of 30.0% from the September 15th total of 15,710,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 9,870,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 9,870,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Haleon Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HLN traded down $0.11 during trading on Thursday, hitting $9.35. 5,335,799 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,051,872. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.63. Haleon has a 1 year low of $8.71 and a 1 year high of $11.42. The company has a market cap of $41.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.96, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.20. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $9.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.98.

Haleon Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 18th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th were paid a $0.0555 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 190.0%. This is a positive change from Haleon's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.05. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 15th. Haleon's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.21%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on HLN shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Haleon from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Haleon in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Haleon from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, July 12th. Finally, Barclays lowered shares of Haleon from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $12.33.

Institutional Trading of Haleon

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HLN. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management lifted its stake in shares of Haleon by 234.1% in the second quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 2,372 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,662 shares during the period. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Haleon by 135.9% in the first quarter. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,588 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,491 shares during the period. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new stake in shares of Haleon in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Haleon by 107.6% in the second quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,721 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,410 shares during the period. Finally, SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. lifted its stake in shares of Haleon by 60.5% in the third quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 3,105 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,170 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.67% of the company's stock.

Haleon Company Profile

Haleon plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of various consumer healthcare products in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides oral health products, such as toothpastes, mouth washes, and denture care products under the Sensodyne, Polident, Parodontax, Biotene brands; and vitamins, minerals, and supplements under Centrum, Emergen-C, Caltrate brands.

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