BAE Systems plc (OTCMKTS:BAESY) Short Interest Update

BAE Systems plc (OTCMKTS:BAESY) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 897,300 shares, an increase of 226.5% from the February 28th total of 274,800 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,100,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BAE Systems

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BAESY. Sit Investment Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of BAE Systems by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 55,390 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $3,166,000 after purchasing an additional 2,285 shares in the last quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. grew its position in BAE Systems by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. now owns 67,760 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $3,899,000 after buying an additional 2,211 shares in the last quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc lifted its position in BAE Systems by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 113,168 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $6,469,000 after purchasing an additional 3,662 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BAE Systems during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Dorsey Wright & Associates lifted its stake in BAE Systems by 11.7% during the third quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates now owns 56,856 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $3,775,000 after purchasing an additional 5,936 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.21% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on BAESY. Bank of America reissued an “underperform” rating on shares of BAE Systems in a research note on Friday, November 29th. Berenberg Bank lowered shares of BAE Systems from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th.

BAE Systems Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of BAE Systems stock opened at $82.71 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $71.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $67.03. BAE Systems has a fifty-two week low of $56.19 and a fifty-two week high of $89.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.03.

BAE Systems Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 22nd will be paid a $1.0442 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 22nd. This is a positive change from BAE Systems’s previous dividend of $0.63.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems plc provides defense, aerospace, and security solutions worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Electronic Systems, Platforms & Services, Air, Maritime, and Cyber & Intelligence. The Electronic Systems segment offers electronic warfare systems, navigation systems, electro-optical sensors, military and commercial digital engine and flight controls, precision guidance and seeker solutions, military communication systems and data links, persistent surveillance capabilities, space electronics, and electric drive propulsion systems.