BAE Systems plc (OTCMKTS:BAESY) Short Interest Down 13.9% in April

BAE Systems plc (OTCMKTS:BAESY - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,502,700 shares, a decline of 13.9% from the March 31st total of 1,745,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 367,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.1 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BAE Systems

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAESY. Operose Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of BAE Systems during the third quarter valued at approximately $55,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of BAE Systems during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $81,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of BAE Systems during the third quarter valued at approximately $207,000. AdvisorShares Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of BAE Systems during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $699,000. Finally, Equitable Trust Co. grew its stake in shares of BAE Systems by 20.9% during the third quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 52,940 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $2,579,000 after buying an additional 9,135 shares during the last quarter. 0.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, BNP Paribas downgraded BAE Systems from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $1,142.00.

BAE Systems Stock Up 1.4 %

OTCMKTS BAESY traded up $0.94 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $68.24. 375,287 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 506,471. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $66.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. BAE Systems has a 52 week low of $46.19 and a 52 week high of $70.49.

BAE Systems Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.9029 per share. This is a boost from BAE Systems's previous dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 18th.

BAE Systems Company Profile

BAE Systems plc provides defense, aerospace, and security solutions worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Electronic Systems, Platforms & Services, Air, Maritime, and Cyber & Intelligence. The Electronic Systems segment offers electronic warfare systems, navigation systems, electro-optical sensors, military and commercial digital engine and flight controls, precision guidance and seeker solutions, military communication systems and data links, persistent surveillance capabilities, space electronics, and electric drive propulsion systems.