Universal Display Co. (NASDAQ:OLED) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Universal Display Co. (NASDAQ:OLED - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,760,000 shares, a growth of 21.4% from the April 30th total of 1,450,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 762,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.3 days. Currently, 4.0% of the company's shares are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Display from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Universal Display from $200.00 to $162.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Universal Display from $234.00 to $203.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $170.00 price target on shares of Universal Display in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Roth Mkm raised their price target on shares of Universal Display from $207.00 to $213.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Display has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $190.43.

Universal Display Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of OLED traded down $0.77 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $149.46. The company had a trading volume of 479,988 shares, compared to its average volume of 598,059. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $133.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $145.90. Universal Display has a 1-year low of $103.70 and a 1-year high of $237.00. The stock has a market cap of $7.10 billion, a PE ratio of 32.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.46.

Universal Display (NASDAQ:OLED - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The semiconductor company reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.28. Universal Display had a net margin of 34.29% and a return on equity of 15.51%. The business had revenue of $166.28 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $154.76 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.19 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Display will post 4.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Display Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 16th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 16th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.20%. Universal Display's payout ratio is 37.42%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rise Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Universal Display by 87.9% in the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 186 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the period. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Display in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its holdings in Universal Display by 280.0% in the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 209 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Universal Display by 4,700.0% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 240 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Display by 401.9% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 261 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 209 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.19% of the company's stock.

Universal Display Company Profile

Universal Display Corporation engages in the research, development, and commercialization of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in display and solid-state lighting applications in the United States and internationally. The company offers PHOLED technologies and materials for displays and lighting products under the UniversalPHOLED brand.