Short Interest in Federal Signal Co. (NYSE:FSS) Expands By 69.1%

Federal Signal Co. (NYSE:FSS) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,050,000 shares, an increase of 69.1% from the August 15th total of 621,100 shares. Approximately 1.8% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 347,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.0 days.

Federal Signal Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE:FSS traded up $0.88 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $86.98. The stock had a trading volume of 266,338 shares, compared to its average volume of 343,902. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $92.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $86.75. The company has a market capitalization of $5.32 billion, a PE ratio of 29.39 and a beta of 0.94. Federal Signal has a twelve month low of $57.05 and a twelve month high of $102.18. The company has a current ratio of 2.89, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23.

Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The conglomerate reported $0.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $490.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $487.74 million. Federal Signal had a net margin of 11.16% and a return on equity of 18.31%. The firm’s revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Federal Signal will post 3.24 EPS for the current year.

Federal Signal Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. Federal Signal’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.22%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Brenda Reichelderfer sold 25,685 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.99, for a total value of $2,388,448.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 57,417 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,339,206.83. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 3.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Federal Signal

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its holdings in Federal Signal by 150.0% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 30,000 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $2,546,000 after purchasing an additional 18,000 shares in the last quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd acquired a new stake in Federal Signal during the first quarter worth approximately $919,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Federal Signal during the first quarter worth approximately $917,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Federal Signal by 8.4% during the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 414,474 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $31,807,000 after acquiring an additional 32,227 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Federal Signal by 23.2% during the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 432,897 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $33,221,000 after acquiring an additional 81,622 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.73% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, William Blair initiated coverage on shares of Federal Signal in a research note on Friday, May 31st. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company.

Federal Signal Company Profile

Federal Signal Corp. engages in the design and manufacture of products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial, and commercial customers. It operates through the Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group segments. The Environment Solutions Group segment is involved in the manufacture and supply of street sweeper vehicles, sewer cleaners, vacuum loader trucks, hydro-excavation trucks, and water blasting equipment.