HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) Short Interest Update

HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC - Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,400,000 shares, a decline of 8.7% from the March 31st total of 9,200,000 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,180,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.9 days.

HSBC Stock Performance

Shares of HSBC traded up $0.29 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $42.19. The stock had a trading volume of 1,619,128 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,224,405. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The firm has a market cap of $159.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.40, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.63. HSBC has a 52 week low of $35.30 and a 52 week high of $42.47. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $39.55 and a 200-day moving average price of $39.13.

HSBC (NYSE:HSBC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The financial services provider reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.90 by ($0.33). HSBC had a net margin of 19.02% and a return on equity of 12.89%. The business had revenue of $13.02 billion for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts expect that HSBC will post 7.24 EPS for the current year.

HSBC Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th were paid a $1.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 14.70%. This is an increase from HSBC's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. HSBC's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 108.42%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in HSBC in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of HSBC during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Assetmark Inc. purchased a new stake in HSBC in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in HSBC during the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of HSBC by 74.8% in the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 895 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 383 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.48% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on HSBC. BNP Paribas lowered shares of HSBC from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Barclays reissued an "equal weight" rating on shares of HSBC in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $811.00.

HSBC Company Profile

HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking and wealth products, including current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services; and wealth management services comprising insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions.

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