Vasta Platform Limited (NASDAQ:VSTA) Short Interest Down 30.7% in August

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 decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 30,300 shares, a decline of 30.7% from the July 31st total of 43,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 18,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.6 days. Approximately 0.6% of the company's shares are short sold. Approximately 0.6% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 18,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.6 days.

Institutional Trading of Vasta Platform

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Vasta Platform stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Vasta Platform Limited (NASDAQ:VSTA - Free Report) by 19.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,378,562 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 220,161 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned approximately 1.72% of Vasta Platform worth $5,900,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Institutional investors own 15.80% of the company's stock.

Vasta Platform Price Performance

VSTA stock traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $4.59. 17,053 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 32,096. Vasta Platform has a 12 month low of $1.60 and a 12 month high of $5.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $4.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $368.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.64, a PEG ratio of 0.26 and a beta of -0.04.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

About Vasta Platform

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.