The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 25,060,000 shares, an increase of 9.5% from the December 31st total of 22,880,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 13,310,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.9 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on BA shares. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on shares of Boeing from $240.00 to $200.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Boeing from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Boeing from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $250.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Boeing from $184.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Boeing currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $195.00.

Boeing Stock Performance

BA stock traded up $5.38 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $181.61. 5,786,200 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,331,511. Boeing has a 1-year low of $137.03 and a 1-year high of $213.77. The firm has a market cap of $112.27 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.92 and a beta of 1.52. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $170.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $164.00.

Boeing (NYSE:BA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The aircraft producer reported ($5.90) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($1.60) by ($4.30). During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.47) EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Boeing will post -2.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boeing

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BA. Chaney Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Boeing by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Chaney Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,870 shares of the aircraft producer's stock worth $508,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the period. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. raised its stake in Boeing by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 10,608 shares of the aircraft producer's stock valued at $1,878,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. raised its stake in Boeing by 12.0% during the fourth quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 562 shares of the aircraft producer's stock worth $99,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in Boeing by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,923 shares of the aircraft producer's stock worth $871,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Boeing by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 1,709 shares of the aircraft producer's stock valued at $302,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. 64.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Boeing

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.