HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) Short Interest Update

HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,950,000 shares, an increase of 7.4% from the September 15th total of 7,400,000 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,460,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.4 days.

HSBC Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HSBC traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $44.10. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 636,983 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,750,778. The firm has a market capitalization of $165.41 billion, a PE ratio of 7.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $43.79 and a two-hundred day moving average of $43.33. HSBC has a 52 week low of $35.30 and a 52 week high of $46.07.

HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.65 EPS for the quarter. HSBC had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 15.61%. The company had revenue of $16.54 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that HSBC will post 6.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

HSBC Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.54%. HSBC’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.14%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Dbs Bank raised HSBC to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, HSBC has an average rating of “Hold”.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HSBC

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Richardson Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of HSBC in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of HSBC in the second quarter worth approximately $36,000. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HSBC in the first quarter worth approximately $34,000. RFP Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of HSBC by 126.1% in the first quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 1,031 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 575 shares during the period. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HSBC in the second quarter worth approximately $47,000. 1.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

HSBC Company Profile

HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking and wealth products, including current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services; and wealth management services comprising insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions.