LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB) Short Interest Update

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,790,000 shares, an increase of 32.7% from the March 31st total of 8,130,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,620,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.0 days. Currently, 4.2% of the company's shares are sold short.

LyondellBasell Industries Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:LYB traded up $0.37 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $56.58. The company had a trading volume of 564,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,536,706. LyondellBasell Industries has a one year low of $51.11 and a one year high of $107.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.70, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.87. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $65.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $74.25.

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.03). LyondellBasell Industries had a return on equity of 15.97% and a net margin of 3.39%. The company had revenue of $7.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.69 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.53 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that LyondellBasell Industries will post 6.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

LyondellBasell Industries Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th were given a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. LyondellBasell Industries's dividend payout ratio is currently 165.43%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Michael Sean Hanley purchased 3,750 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $72.05 per share, with a total value of $270,187.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 16,028 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,154,817.40. This trade represents a 30.54 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LyondellBasell Industries

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,229,416 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $501,501,000 after buying an additional 187,150 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 202.4% during the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,986 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $964,000 after purchasing an additional 8,691 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 271,626 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $20,174,000 after purchasing an additional 20,310 shares during the period. Merrion Investment Management Co LLC acquired a new position in LyondellBasell Industries during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $503,000. Finally, Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 26.4% during the 4th quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 18,973 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $1,409,000 after buying an additional 3,958 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.20% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on LYB shares. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on LyondellBasell Industries from $71.00 to $65.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $60.00 target price (down previously from $80.00) on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a report on Friday, April 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group reiterated a "sell" rating and set a $51.00 price objective (down from $76.00) on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of LyondellBasell Industries from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.75.

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.