Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGC) Short Interest Down 20.6% in March

Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGC - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 118,600 shares, a decrease of 20.6% from the February 29th total of 149,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 65,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Approximately 1.1% of the company's stock are sold short.

Superior Group of Companies Stock Performance

Superior Group of Companies stock traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $16.52. 45,348 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 88,209. Superior Group of Companies has a 52 week low of $7.14 and a 52 week high of $16.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a current ratio of 2.78. The firm has a market cap of $276.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.39. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $14.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.04.

Superior Group of Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were given a dividend of $0.14 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.39%. Superior Group of Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 101.82%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Singular Research reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Superior Group of Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 19th. StockNews.com upgraded Superior Group of Companies from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 20th. Finally, Barrington Research lifted their price target on Superior Group of Companies from $13.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, March 15th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Superior Group of Companies news, Director Paul V. Mellini sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.66, for a total transaction of $93,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 92,955 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,455,675.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Superior Group of Companies news, Director Paul V. Mellini sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.66, for a total transaction of $93,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 92,955 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,455,675.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Philip Koosed sold 9,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.64, for a total value of $140,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 82,436 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,289,299.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 27.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Superior Group of Companies

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SGC. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in Superior Group of Companies by 1.1% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 100,196 shares of the textile maker's stock worth $1,788,000 after acquiring an additional 1,087 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Superior Group of Companies by 1.1% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 991,886 shares of the textile maker's stock valued at $17,705,000 after buying an additional 10,875 shares in the last quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC raised its position in shares of Superior Group of Companies by 322.2% in the first quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,900 shares of the textile maker's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 1,450 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Superior Group of Companies by 4.9% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 31,856 shares of the textile maker's stock valued at $569,000 after buying an additional 1,477 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Superior Group of Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $596,000. 33.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Superior Group of Companies Company Profile

Superior Group of Companies, Inc manufactures and sells apparel and accessories in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Branded Products, Healthcare Apparel, and Contact Centers. The Branded Products segment produces and sells customized merchandising solutions, promotional products, and branded uniform to retail, hotel, food service, entertainment, technology, transportation, and other industries.