Short Interest in Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ) Declines By 21.7%

Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 8,100,000 shares, a decline of 21.7% from the March 15th total of 10,350,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 5,310,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days. Currently, 1.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage on Invesco in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. They set a "sector perform" rating and a $19.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $16.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a "market perform" rating and set a $20.00 price objective (up previously from $18.00) on shares of Invesco in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Finally, Argus increased their target price on shares of Invesco from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $17.25.

Invesco Stock Up 4.1 %

IVZ stock traded up $0.56 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $14.07. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,945,361 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,299,870. The company has a market capitalization of $6.30 billion, a PE ratio of 11.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.26. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $15.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.90. The company has a quick ratio of 4.91, a current ratio of 4.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. Invesco has a 12 month low of $11.60 and a 12 month high of $19.55.

Invesco (NYSE:IVZ - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The asset manager reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. Invesco had a return on equity of 8.18% and a net margin of 12.77%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.33 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Invesco will post 1.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Invesco Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be given a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.97%. This is a boost from Invesco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Invesco's dividend payout ratio is presently 69.49%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of Invesco during the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. Colonial Trust Co SC bought a new stake in Invesco during the fourth quarter valued at about $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd grew its position in shares of Invesco by 180.5% in the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 2,379 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,531 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of Invesco in the fourth quarter worth about $44,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Invesco by 264.1% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,080 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 2,234 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.09% of the company's stock.

About Invesco

Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds.