Pampa Energia S.A. (NYSE:PAM) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Key Points

• Pampa Energia S.A. experienced a 78.9% increase in short interest during July, rising from 205,000 shares to 366,800 shares.
• The company's earnings per share (EPS) of $2.81 exceeded analysts' estimates of $1.92, despite reported revenue falling short of expectations at $414 million.
• Brokerages have upgraded the stock, with Wall Street Zen raising it from a "hold" to a "buy" rating and Citigroup increasing its price target from $88 to $92.

Pampa Energia S.A. (NYSE:PAM - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 366,800 shares, agrowthof78.9% from the June 30th total of 205,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 187,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently,0.7% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently,0.7% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 187,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on PAM. Wall Street Zen upgraded Pampa Energia from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Pampa Energia from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, May 19th.

Pampa Energia Price Performance

Shares of Pampa Energia stock traded down $2.65 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $74.56. The company's stock had a trading volume of 437,607 shares, compared to its average volume of 260,272. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a current ratio of 2.70. Pampa Energia has a 12-month low of $48.38 and a 12-month high of $97.55. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $73.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $76.43. The company has a market cap of $4.07 billion, a PE ratio of 9.19 and a beta of 1.15.

Pampa Energia (NYSE:PAM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.35 by ($1.65). The business had revenue of $486.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $632.05 million. Pampa Energia had a return on equity of 13.01% and a net margin of 23.73%. Analysts expect that Pampa Energia will post 9.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pampa Energia

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in Pampa Energia by 8.2% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 3,879 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 293 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Pampa Energia by 167.1% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 423,154 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $37,212,000 after acquiring an additional 264,706 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new position in Pampa Energia in the fourth quarter worth about $1,512,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC bought a new stake in Pampa Energia during the fourth quarter worth approximately $292,000. Finally, BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLC purchased a new stake in Pampa Energia during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $326,000. 12.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Pampa Energia

Pampa Energía SA operates as an integrated power company in Argentina. The company operates through Electricity Generation, Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, and Holding and Other Business segments. It generates electricity through thermal plants, hydroelectric plants, and wind farms with a 5,332 megawatt (MW) installed capacity.