West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Key Points

• West Pharmaceutical Services saw a **293.4% increase** in short interest in July, bringing the total to **1,830,000 shares**, which accounts for approximately **2.6%** of the total shares.
• UBS Group has raised its target price for West Pharmaceutical Services from **$285.00 to $320.00**, reflecting a "buy" rating, which aligns with the overall consensus rating of **"Moderate Buy."**
• The company reported a **9.2% revenue increase** year-over-year, totaling **$766.5 million** for the last quarter, while also beating earnings expectations with an EPS of **$1.84**.

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,830,000 shares, agrowthof293.4% from the June 30th total of 465,200 shares. Approximately2.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 753,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.4 days. Based on an average daily volume of 753,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.4 days. Approximately2.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have weighed in on WST shares. UBS Group upped their target price on West Pharmaceutical Services from $285.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Stephens raised West Pharmaceutical Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Wall Street Zen raised West Pharmaceutical Services from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, July 26th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Barclays began coverage on West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $245.00 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, West Pharmaceutical Services has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $320.71.

West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Down 0.0%

WST opened at $239.15 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The firm has a market cap of $17.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.80, a PEG ratio of 4.23 and a beta of 1.05. West Pharmaceutical Services has a 52 week low of $187.43 and a 52 week high of $352.33. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $224.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $235.56.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $766.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $725.11 million. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 18.43% and a net margin of 16.48%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.52 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that West Pharmaceutical Services will post 6.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

West Pharmaceutical Services Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. This is a boost from West Pharmaceutical Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 12th. West Pharmaceutical Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.57%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On West Pharmaceutical Services

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WST. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 626 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $205,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp raised its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 1,110 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $249,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp raised its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp now owns 1,027 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. MGO One Seven LLC raised its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 1,277 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $418,000 after buying an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV raised its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV now owns 9,318 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $3,105,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. 93.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

West Pharmaceutical Services Company Profile

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

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