Swedbank AB (OTCMKTS:SWDBY) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• Swedbank’s short interest surged 151.7% in September to 34,113 shares, equivalent to about 1.0 day of average trading volume, although only 0.0% of shares were reported short.
• The stock opened at SEK 41.68, near its 52-week high of SEK 42.36, and was supported by quarterly revenue of SEK 1.93 billion, EPS of SEK 0.68, a 29.45% net margin, and a 14.84% return on equity.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious: ratings include one Buy, two Holds, and three Sells, resulting in a consensus rating of “Reduce.”

Swedbank AB (OTCMKTS:SWDBY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 34,113 shares, an increase of 151.7% from the August 31st total of 13,552 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,657 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the company's stock are short sold.

Swedbank Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of OTCMKTS:SWDBY opened at SEK 41.68 on Friday. The firm's 50 day moving average price is SEK 39.84 and its 200 day moving average price is SEK 37.36. The stock has a market cap of $46.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.18 and a beta of 0.68. Swedbank has a fifty-two week low of SEK 29.80 and a fifty-two week high of SEK 42.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.25.

Swedbank (OTCMKTS:SWDBY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported SEK 0.68 EPS for the quarter. Swedbank had a net margin of 29.45% and a return on equity of 14.84%. The company had revenue of SEK 1.93 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Swedbank will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on SWDBY shares. Zacks Research cut shares of Swedbank from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Friday, September 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Swedbank from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Citigroup reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Swedbank in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Swedbank in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "underweight" rating on shares of Swedbank in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Swedbank has a consensus rating of "Reduce".

About Swedbank

Swedbank AB is a Swedish banking group that provides financial services to private individuals, businesses and institutional customers. Its principal activities include accepting deposits, providing mortgages and other lending products, facilitating payments, and offering savings, investment and insurance services.

The bank serves customers primarily in Sweden and the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Through its digital and branch-based channels, Swedbank offers everyday banking, personal finance products, corporate banking, cash management and financial advice.

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