LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 8,130,000 shares, a growth of 18.2% from the March 15th total of 6,880,000 shares. Currently, 3.2% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,290,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.5 days.

LyondellBasell Industries Stock Performance

NYSE:LYB traded up $0.31 during trading on Friday, reaching $59.56. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,637,508 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,502,868. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $67.69 and a 200-day moving average of $75.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.83. The firm has a market cap of $19.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.89. LyondellBasell Industries has a 12 month low of $51.11 and a 12 month high of $107.02.

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $7.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.69 billion. LyondellBasell Industries had a net margin of 3.39% and a return on equity of 15.97%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.53 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that LyondellBasell Industries will post 6.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

LyondellBasell Industries Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were given a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.00%. LyondellBasell Industries's dividend payout ratio is presently 129.47%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on LyondellBasell Industries from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 4th. StockNews.com lowered LyondellBasell Industries from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $80.00 to $72.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and set a $60.00 price target (down previously from $80.00) on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Friday, April 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of LyondellBasell Industries from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and set a $62.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $76.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Michael Sean Hanley purchased 3,750 shares of LyondellBasell Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $72.05 per share, for a total transaction of $270,187.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 16,028 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,154,817.40. This trade represents a 30.54 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On LyondellBasell Industries

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LYB. Mather Group LLC. increased its stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 42.9% in the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,112 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares in the last quarter. Townsend & Associates Inc grew its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 28.1% in the 1st quarter. Townsend & Associates Inc now owns 29,019 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $2,043,000 after buying an additional 6,371 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank raised its holdings in LyondellBasell Industries by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 50,802 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $3,576,000 after acquiring an additional 745 shares during the period. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 9.5% during the first quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 14,896 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $1,049,000 after acquiring an additional 1,293 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 12.4% in the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 247,598 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $17,287,000 after acquiring an additional 27,313 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.20% of the company's stock.

LyondellBasell Industries Company Profile

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.