Short Interest in KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE) Declines By 17.3%

KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE - Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 30,930,000 shares, a decrease of 17.3% from the March 31st total of 37,410,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 10,810,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.9 days. Currently, 2.7% of the company's shares are sold short.

KE Stock Down 4.0 %

Shares of BEKE stock traded down $0.83 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $19.73. The stock had a trading volume of 3,986,442 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,501,907. KE has a one year low of $12.92 and a one year high of $26.05. The firm has a market cap of $23.83 billion, a PE ratio of 40.26, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of -0.73. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $20.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $19.82.

KE Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a -- dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 9th were issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. This is an increase from KE's previous -- dividend of $0.17. This represents a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, April 9th. KE's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 64.58%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KE

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of KE in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in KE in the first quarter worth about $34,000. Principal Securities Inc. raised its holdings in KE by 411.9% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 2,068 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,664 shares during the last quarter. Wealthquest Corp bought a new position in shares of KE in the 1st quarter valued at about $79,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of KE by 42.3% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 4,762 shares of the company's stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 1,416 shares during the period. 39.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of KE from $19.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. UBS Group lowered shares of KE from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $22.70 to $24.50 in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of KE in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $27.26.

KE Company Profile

KE Holdings Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in operating an integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services in the People's Republic of China. It operates through four segments: Existing Home Transaction Services, New Home Transaction Services, Home Renovation and Furnishing, and Emerging and Other Services.