Afya Limited (NASDAQ:AFYA) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Afya Limited (NASDAQ:AFYA) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,430,000 shares, a growth of 9.2% from the January 15th total of 1,310,000 shares. Approximately 10.7% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 110,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 12.9 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on AFYA shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Afya from $25.00 to $20.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Afya in a research report on Tuesday, December 3rd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $16.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a “sell” rating and set a $15.00 price target (down previously from $18.00) on shares of Afya in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $18.00.

Afya Stock Performance

Shares of AFYA stock opened at $17.68 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.60. Afya has a one year low of $14.52 and a one year high of $22.24. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $15.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.66 billion, a PE ratio of 14.26, a PEG ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.90.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Afya

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Afya by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. now owns 17,682 shares of the company’s stock valued at $281,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Afya by 296.9% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,072 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,550 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new stake in Afya during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in Afya by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 56,341 shares of the company’s stock worth $895,000 after purchasing an additional 2,032 shares during the period. Finally, Dodge & Cox increased its holdings in Afya by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 31,262 shares of the company’s stock worth $496,000 after purchasing an additional 2,079 shares in the last quarter. 88.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Afya

Afya Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a medical education group in Brazil. The company operates through three segments: Undergrad, Continuing Education, and Digital Services. It offers educational products and services, including medical schools, medical residency preparatory courses, graduate courses, and other programs to lifelong medical learners enrolled across its distribution network, as well as to third-party medical schools.