Hyster-Yale, Inc. (NYSE:HY) Short Interest Up 19.1% in February

Key Points

• Short interest rose 19.1% in February to 458,894 shares (about 4.0% of shares), leaving a short-interest ratio of roughly 4.1 days based on average daily volume.
• Hyster‑Yale reported a large earnings miss—EPS of ($2.06) vs. analyst expectations of ($1.20) while revenue came in at $923.2M; the company posted a negative net margin and negative return on equity.
• The company paid a $0.36 quarterly dividend (annualized yield ~4.7%) despite a negative payout ratio, and analysts are mixed-to-negative with a MarketBeat consensus rating of "Reduce" and a $45 target while the stock trades near $30.85.

Hyster-Yale, Inc. (NYSE:HY - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 458,894 shares, an increase of 19.1% from the February 12th total of 385,260 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 112,195 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.1 days. Currently, 4.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 4.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 112,195 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.1 days.

Hyster-Yale Price Performance

HY stock traded up $0.16 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $30.85. 67,589 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 123,464. The company has a market capitalization of $552.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.07 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.34 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The company has a 50-day moving average of $35.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.24. Hyster-Yale has a twelve month low of $26.41 and a twelve month high of $46.87.

Hyster-Yale (NYSE:HY - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, March 3rd. The industrial products company reported ($2.06) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($1.20) by ($0.86). The company had revenue of $923.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $916.43 million. Hyster-Yale had a negative net margin of 1.59% and a negative return on equity of 6.12%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Hyster-Yale will post 8.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hyster-Yale Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 13th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th were given a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 27th. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.7%. Hyster-Yale's payout ratio is currently -42.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings downgraded Hyster-Yale from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Northland Securities upgraded Hyster-Yale from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $50.00 target price for the company in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Zacks Research lowered Hyster-Yale from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Hyster-Yale from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus target price of $45.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hyster-Yale

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of HY. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Hyster-Yale by 8.1% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 327,204 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $13,016,000 after buying an additional 24,389 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Hyster-Yale by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 167,609 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $6,178,000 after buying an additional 17,007 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Hyster-Yale during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $326,000. Isthmus Partners LLC boosted its position in Hyster-Yale by 11.5% during the 3rd quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 54,847 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $2,022,000 after buying an additional 5,659 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Hyster-Yale by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 273,528 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $10,883,000 after acquiring an additional 10,507 shares during the last quarter. 46.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hyster-Yale Company Profile

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc is a global manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of industrial lift trucks, container handlers and aftermarket parts and services. Operating under the Hyster and Yale brand names, the company designs, engineers and assembles counterbalanced lift trucks, narrow-aisle trucks and specialty vehicles for clients in distribution, manufacturing, retail and warehousing.

The company's product portfolio includes electric, diesel and LPG-powered forklifts, as well as reach stackers, empty container handlers and terminal tractors.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.