Vasta Platform Limited (NASDAQ:VSTA) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

Key Points

• Vasta Platform Limited experienced a significant reduction in short interest of 30.7% in August, bringing total short interest down to 30,300 shares, which constitutes 0.6% of the company's shares.
• JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Vasta Platform by 19.0%, now owning approximately 1.72% of the company valued at $5.9 million.
• The company reported a loss of ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the latest quarter, falling short of analysts' expectations, with revenues at $63.28 million, significantly below forecasted figures.

Vasta Platform Limited (NASDAQ:VSTA - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 30,300 shares, a decrease of 30.7% from the July 31st total of 43,700 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 18,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days. Based on an average daily volume of 18,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Vasta Platform Trading Up 0.8%

VSTA stock traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $4.57. 17,211 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 24,310. Vasta Platform has a 52-week low of $1.60 and a 52-week high of $5.49. The stock's fifty day moving average is $4.24 and its 200-day moving average is $4.17. The company has a market cap of $366.11 million, a P/E ratio of 4.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.24 and a beta of -0.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10.

Vasta Platform (NASDAQ:VSTA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $63.28 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $434.00 million. Vasta Platform had a return on equity of 1.20% and a net margin of 26.88%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Vasta Platform will post 0.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vasta Platform

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Vasta Platform stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Vasta Platform Limited (NASDAQ:VSTA - Free Report) by 19.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,378,562 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 220,161 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned 1.72% of Vasta Platform worth $5,900,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 15.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Morgan Stanley reissued an "underweight" rating on shares of Vasta Platform in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vasta Platform has a consensus rating of "Sell".

Vasta Platform Company Profile

Vasta Platform Limited provides educational printed and digital solutions to private schools operating in the K-12 education sector in Brazil. The company offers digital and printed textbooks, teacher handbooks, exercise books, multidisciplinary subject books, and student evaluations; and PAR platform that allows schools to select their preferred books and materials and follow their own specific teaching methods.