Natural Health Trends Corp. (NASDAQ:NHTC) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Key Points

• Natural Health Trends Corp. experienced a significant increase in short interest in August 2023, rising by 46.2% to a total of 34,200 shares.
• Institutional investors hold 10.13% of the company's stock, with notable increases in holdings by Dimensional Fund Advisors, Millennium Management, and Osaic Holdings.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20, translating to an annualized yield of 17.4%, despite a high payout ratio of 2,666.67%.

Natural Health Trends Corp. (NASDAQ:NHTC - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 34,200 shares, a growth of 46.2% from the July 31st total of 23,400 shares. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 26,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 26,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.3 days. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Natural Health Trends Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ NHTC remained flat at $4.68 during mid-day trading on Friday. 7,735 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 24,382. The business has a 50-day moving average of $4.55 and a 200-day moving average of $4.75. The company has a market capitalization of $53.87 million, a P/E ratio of 156.05 and a beta of 0.67. Natural Health Trends has a 52-week low of $4.02 and a 52-week high of $6.89.

Natural Health Trends Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 12th were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 17.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 12th. Natural Health Trends's dividend payout ratio is 2,666.67%.

Institutional Trading of Natural Health Trends

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in Natural Health Trends by 51.4% in the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 16,108 shares of the company's stock worth $74,000 after purchasing an additional 5,467 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Natural Health Trends by 5.5% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 43,760 shares of the company's stock worth $202,000 after purchasing an additional 2,274 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in Natural Health Trends by 536,392.2% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 413,099 shares of the company's stock worth $1,789,000 after purchasing an additional 413,022 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 10.13% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Wall Street Zen initiated coverage on shares of Natural Health Trends in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. They set a "buy" rating on the stock.

Natural Health Trends Company Profile

Natural Health Trends Corp., a direct-selling and e-commerce company, provides personal care, wellness, and lifestyle products under the NHT Global brand. The company offers wellness products, including liquid, encapsulated, tableted and powder dietary and nutritional supplements, vitamins, and minerals; and herbal products comprising herbal supplements.