Short Interest in Knightscope, Inc. (NASDAQ:KSCP) Rises By 29.1%

Key Points

• Knightscope, Inc. experienced a significant rise in short interest, increasing by 29.1% to 1,030,000 shares in August, with approximately 10.5% of its shares currently short sold.
• The company reported a quarterly EPS of ($0.90), outperforming estimates, despite a negative net margin of 282.34% and predictions of a -12.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.
• Brokerage analysts have varying views on Knightscope, with target prices ranging from $8.00 to $30.00 and an average target price of $15.33, indicating a general "buy" sentiment.

Knightscope, Inc. (NASDAQ:KSCP - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,030,000 shares, a growth of 29.1% from the July 31st total of 798,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 521,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 10.5% of the company's stock are sold short. Currently, 10.5% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 521,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Knightscope Stock Performance

KSCP traded down $0.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $5.82. 284,500 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 297,042. Knightscope has a 1 year low of $2.45 and a 1 year high of $28.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 1.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.33 million, a P/E ratio of -0.89 and a beta of 1.74. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $6.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.39.

Knightscope (NASDAQ:KSCP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 12th. The company reported ($0.90) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($1.09) by $0.19. Knightscope had a negative net margin of 282.34% and a negative return on equity of 213.31%. The company had revenue of $2.75 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.86 million. As a group, research analysts predict that Knightscope will post -12.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Knightscope

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of KSCP. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Knightscope during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Knightscope by 32.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 53,372 shares of the company's stock valued at $264,000 after purchasing an additional 13,081 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Knightscope during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $77,000. Finally, Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Knightscope during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. 14.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on KSCP shares. Ascendiant Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of Knightscope from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 6th. Lake Street Capital set a $8.00 target price on shares of Knightscope and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Knightscope from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $12.00 target price on shares of Knightscope in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $15.33.

Knightscope Company Profile

Knightscope, Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, deploys, and supports autonomous security robots (ASR) in the United States. Its products include K3 and K5 ASRs designed to roam a geo-fenced area autonomously by utilizing numerous sensors and lasers, either on a random basis or based on a particular patrolling algorithm to navigate around people, vehicles, and objects in dynamic indoor or outdoor environments; K1, an ASR for used in indoors or outdoors and at ingress/egress points for both people and vehicles; and K7, a multi-terrain ASR.