Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL) Short Interest Up 25.7% in May

Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,180,000 shares, an increase of 25.7% from the April 30th total of 2,530,000 shares. Approximately 4.0% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,220,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 138.7% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 759 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 441 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 14.5% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 274,522 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $15,033,000 after buying an additional 34,822 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association acquired a new position in shares of Hexcel in the 1st quarter valued at $306,000. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in shares of Hexcel in the 1st quarter valued at $234,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Hexcel in the 1st quarter valued at $2,134,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.47% of the company's stock.

Hexcel Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of NYSE:HXL traded up $0.53 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $56.38. The stock had a trading volume of 1,181,783 shares, compared to its average volume of 990,994. Hexcel has a 1 year low of $45.28 and a 1 year high of $71.05. The firm's 50 day moving average is $51.86 and its 200-day moving average is $58.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 2.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.29.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 21st. The aerospace company reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.43 by ($0.06). Hexcel had a net margin of 6.94% and a return on equity of 10.66%. The firm had revenue of $456.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $482.18 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.44 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Hexcel will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hexcel Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 2nd were issued a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 2nd. Hexcel's payout ratio is 45.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on HXL shares. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Hexcel from $72.00 to $52.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Hexcel from $61.00 to $50.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of Hexcel from $73.00 to $67.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Hexcel from $75.00 to $68.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, TD Cowen raised shares of Hexcel to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, February 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $61.20.

About Hexcel

Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets carbon fibers, structural reinforcements, honeycomb structures, resins, and composite materials and parts for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products.