Short Interest in X Financial Sponsored ADR (NYSE:XYF) Increases By 65.1%

Key Points

• Short interest in X Financial has surged by 65.1%, rising to 284,700 shares as of August 31, indicating increased bearish sentiment towards the stock.
• X Financial has announced a semi-annual dividend increase from $0.25 to $0.28 per share, with a dividend yield of 330.0% and a payout ratio of 8.99%.
• Wall Street Zen dropped their rating on X Financial from "strong-buy" to "buy," reflecting a shift in analyst sentiment amidst the stock's recent performance.

X Financial Sponsored ADR (NYSE:XYF - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 284,700 shares, an increase of 65.1% from the August 15th total of 172,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 413,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Approximately 1.0% of the company's shares are short sold. Approximately 1.0% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 413,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded X Financial from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On X Financial

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of X Financial in the 2nd quarter worth about $697,000. Hhlr Advisors LTD. purchased a new stake in shares of X Financial in the 1st quarter worth about $720,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of X Financial by 29.4% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 107,272 shares of the company's stock worth $1,534,000 after purchasing an additional 24,395 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 1.15% of the company's stock.

X Financial Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE XYF traded down $0.10 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $14.05. 88,126 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 418,606. The stock has a market cap of $587.01 million, a P/E ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.30. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $15.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $14.99. X Financial has a one year low of $4.73 and a one year high of $20.35.

X Financial (NYSE:XYF - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 18th. The company reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter. X Financial had a net margin of 23.30% and a return on equity of 25.42%. The firm had revenue of $317.32 million for the quarter.

X Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 26th will be given a dividend of $0.28 per share. This is an increase from X Financial's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 26th. This represents a dividend yield of 330.0%. X Financial's dividend payout ratio is 8.99%.

X Financial Company Profile

X Financial provides personal finance services in the People's Republic of China. The company offers services as an online marketplace connecting borrowers and investors or institutional funding partners. Its loan products include Xiaoying credit loan, which consists of Xiaoying card loan; and Xiaoying preferred loan to small business owners.

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