Japan Tobacco Inc. (OTCMKTS:JAPAY) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Japan Tobacco Inc. (OTCMKTS:JAPAY - 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 41,400 shares, an increase of 61.7% from the April 30th total of 25,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 87,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days. Approximately 0.0% of the company's stock are sold short.

Japan Tobacco Stock Performance

Shares of JAPAY stock traded down $0.12 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $15.34. 24,961 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 114,984. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.48 billion, a PE ratio of 17.63 and a beta of 0.37. Japan Tobacco has a twelve month low of $11.91 and a twelve month high of $16.39. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $14.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.68.

Japan Tobacco (OTCMKTS:JAPAY - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter. Japan Tobacco had a net margin of 14.74% and a return on equity of 11.11%. The firm had revenue of $5.42 billion during the quarter.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Japan Tobacco from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 24th.

About Japan Tobacco

Japan Tobacco Inc, a tobacco company, manufactures and sells tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Tobacco Business, Pharmaceutical, and Processed Food. It offers tobacco products, such as cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco products, E-vapor products, fine cut tobacco products, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco products, and hookah and kretek products.