Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPSS) Short Interest Down 5.3% in December

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPSS) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 653,600 shares, a decrease of 5.3% from the November 30th total of 690,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 29,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 22.2 days. Approximately 7.4% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Consumer Portfolio Services Stock Up 2.0 %

NASDAQ:CPSS traded up $0.21 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $10.86. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 17,596 shares, compared to its average volume of 31,354. The company has a quick ratio of 19.16, a current ratio of 19.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.52. Consumer Portfolio Services has a 1 year low of $7.03 and a 1 year high of $12.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $10.50 and a 200-day moving average of $9.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $232.46 million, a PE ratio of 12.48 and a beta of 1.99.

Consumer Portfolio Services (NASDAQ:CPSS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The credit services provider reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.21 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $100.58 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $98.34 million. Consumer Portfolio Services had a return on equity of 7.59% and a net margin of 5.59%. Equities research analysts forecast that Consumer Portfolio Services will post 0.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Consumer Portfolio Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, December 22nd.

Insider Activity

In other Consumer Portfolio Services news, Director William B. Roberts sold 15,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.45, for a total value of $156,750.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 700,078 shares in the company, valued at $7,315,815.10. This represents a 2.10 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP April Crisp sold 2,500 shares of Consumer Portfolio Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.15, for a total transaction of $27,875.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 17,212 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $191,913.80. This represents a 12.68 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 139,756 shares of company stock valued at $1,482,459. 69.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Consumer Portfolio Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CPSS. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Consumer Portfolio Services by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 186,220 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,747,000 after purchasing an additional 3,922 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in Consumer Portfolio Services by 5.3% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 142,520 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,337,000 after purchasing an additional 7,236 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Consumer Portfolio Services in the third quarter worth about $960,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Consumer Portfolio Services by 1.4% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 99,481 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $975,000 after buying an additional 1,343 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC bought a new stake in shares of Consumer Portfolio Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $445,000. Institutional investors own 47.57% of the company’s stock.

Consumer Portfolio Services Company Profile

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. It is involved in the purchase and service of retail automobile contracts originated by franchised automobile dealers and select independent dealers in the sale of new and used automobiles, light trucks, and passenger vans.