Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI) Short Interest Update

Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 6,120,000 shares, a growth of 18.4% from the March 15th total of 5,170,000 shares. Currently, 10.2% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 808,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 7.6 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Atlas Energy Solutions from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in a report on Thursday, March 14th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Atlas Energy Solutions currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $25.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Atlas Energy Solutions news, General Counsel Dathan C. Voelter sold 2,270 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.41, for a total transaction of $50,870.70. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 386,601 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,663,728.41. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, General Counsel Dathan C. Voelter sold 2,270 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.41, for a total transaction of $50,870.70. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 386,601 shares in the company, valued at $8,663,728.41. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Stacy Hock sold 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.97, for a total value of $998,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 970,738 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,385,637.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 246,860 shares of company stock worth $5,332,121 in the last ninety days. 24.34% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Atlas Energy Solutions

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions by 180.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,582,507 shares of the company's stock valued at $78,911,000 after acquiring an additional 2,948,611 shares during the last quarter. Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions by 258.0% in the 4th quarter. Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC now owns 1,813,539 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,229,000 after purchasing an additional 1,306,900 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the 4th quarter worth $27,963,000. Meridian Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions during the 4th quarter worth $21,795,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions by 532.0% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,263,197 shares of the company's stock worth $21,929,000 after buying an additional 1,063,316 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 34.59% of the company's stock.

Atlas Energy Solutions Price Performance

Shares of AESI traded down $0.32 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $23.44. 646,740 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 883,242. The company has a quick ratio of 3.21, a current ratio of 3.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Atlas Energy Solutions has a 52-week low of $15.28 and a 52-week high of $24.69. The company has a market cap of $2.34 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.93. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $20.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.90.

Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.24). The company had revenue of $141.14 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $147.34 million. Atlas Energy Solutions had a return on equity of 47.40% and a net margin of 17.17%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Atlas Energy Solutions will post 2.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atlas Energy Solutions Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. This is a boost from Atlas Energy Solutions's previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.58%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. Atlas Energy Solutions's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.76%.

Atlas Energy Solutions Company Profile

Atlas Energy Solutions Inc engages in the production, processing, and sale of mesh and sand that are used as a proppant during the well completion process in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. The company provides transportation and logistics, storage solutions, and contract labor services. It sells its products and services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, and oilfield services companies.