Arkema SA (OTCMKTS:ARKAY) Short Interest Down 38.2% in August

Key Points

• Short interest for Arkema SA decreased by 38.2% in August, bringing the total to 2,100 shares.
• Analyst ratings for Arkema are mixed, with a consensus rating of "Hold", while Barclays and Jefferies downgraded their ratings recently.
• Arkema reported earnings of $1.77 per share for the last quarter, missing estimates of $2.09, although its revenue was $2.75 billion, surpassing expectations of $2.29 billion.

Arkema SA (OTCMKTS:ARKAY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,100 shares, adeclineof38.2% from the July 31st total of 3,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 22,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 22,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Arkema Stock Up 2.5%

Shares of Arkema stock traded up $1.71 during trading on Monday, reaching $68.85. 11,885 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,036. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 2.43 and a quick ratio of 1.64. Arkema has a 1-year low of $64.94 and a 1-year high of $98.97. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $72.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $74.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.24 billion, a PE ratio of 22.21, a P/E/G ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.04.

Arkema (OTCMKTS:ARKAY - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $1.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.09 by ($0.32). Arkema had a net margin of 2.41% and a return on equity of 6.41%. The company had revenue of $2.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Arkema will post 8.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on ARKAY. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Arkema in a research note on Friday, July 11th. Barclays lowered shares of Arkema from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Arkema to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

About Arkema

Arkema SA manufactures and sells specialty chemicals and advanced materials worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions, and Intermediates. The Adhesive Solutions segment provides solutions for construction, renovation of buildings, DIY, durable goods, and packaging and non-woven applications; and supplies technologies used in building activities for businesses and individuals, including sealants, tiles, flooring adhesives and waterproofing systems, and technologies used in industry, which include automotive, textiles, glazing, flexible and rigid packaging, and hygiene markets.