National Presto Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPK) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

National Presto Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPK - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 72,800 shares, a drop of 27.1% from the March 31st total of 99,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 40,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Approximately 1.4% of the company's shares are sold short.

National Presto Industries Price Performance

NYSE NPK traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $82.98. 16,978 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 27,002. National Presto Industries has a one year low of $66.83 and a one year high of $84.29. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $79.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $78.75. The stock has a market cap of $590.82 million, a P/E ratio of 17.07 and a beta of 0.59.

National Presto Industries (NYSE:NPK - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter. National Presto Industries had a net margin of 10.14% and a return on equity of 10.14%. The business had revenue of $98.42 million during the quarter.

National Presto Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st were paid a $1.00 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. National Presto Industries's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.58%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Presto Industries

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brandes Investment Partners LP increased its stake in National Presto Industries by 53.4% in the third quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 146,921 shares of the conglomerate's stock valued at $10,646,000 after purchasing an additional 51,165 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its stake in National Presto Industries by 42.5% in the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 109,814 shares of the conglomerate's stock valued at $8,816,000 after purchasing an additional 32,758 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its position in shares of National Presto Industries by 46.8% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,851 shares of the conglomerate's stock worth $496,000 after acquiring an additional 2,183 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund bought a new stake in shares of National Presto Industries during the third quarter worth about $230,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of National Presto Industries by 7,928.0% during the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 24,084 shares of the conglomerate's stock worth $1,933,000 after acquiring an additional 23,784 shares in the last quarter. 58.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of National Presto Industries from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd.

About National Presto Industries

National Presto Industries, Inc provides housewares and small appliance, defense, and safety products in North America. The company's Housewares/Small Appliance segment designs, markets, and distributes housewares and small electrical appliances, including pressure cookers and canners; heat control line of skillets, griddles, woks, and multi-purpose cookers; slow cookers; deep fryers; air fryers; waffle makers; pizza ovens; slicer/shredders; electric heaters; hot air, oil, and microwave corn poppers; dehydrators; vacuum sealers; rice cookers; microwave bacon cookers; egg cookers; coffeemakers and coffeemaker accessories; electric knife sharpeners; and timers under the Presto Control Master brand.