Atlanticus Holdings Co. (NASDAQ:ATLC) Short Interest Update

Atlanticus Holdings Co. (NASDAQ:ATLC - Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 157,600 shares, a decline of 14.8% from the January 15th total of 184,900 shares. Currently, 3.2% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 57,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.7 days.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Mitchell Saunders sold 16,004 shares of Atlanticus stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.55, for a total transaction of $889,022.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 50,973 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,831,550.15. This trade represents a 23.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 51.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Atlanticus by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,079 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $283,000 after buying an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its position in shares of Atlanticus by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 8,128 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $453,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of Atlanticus by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,413 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $358,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Atlanticus by 229.4% in the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 728 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 507 shares during the period. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in Atlanticus by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 16,978 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $596,000 after acquiring an additional 804 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 14.15% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BTIG Research lifted their target price on Atlanticus from $45.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Stephens started coverage on shares of Atlanticus in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $54.00 price target on the stock. JMP Securities raised their price objective on shares of Atlanticus from $54.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a "market outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Finally, B. Riley raised Atlanticus to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $57.20.

Atlanticus Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ATLC traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $61.45. 49,384 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 61,209. The company has a market cap of $905.77 million, a PE ratio of 13.81 and a beta of 2.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.44. Atlanticus has a 12 month low of $23.09 and a 12 month high of $64.70. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $57.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $46.10.

Atlanticus Company Profile

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation, a financial technology company, provides credit and related financial services and products to customers the United States. It operates in two segments, Credit as a Service, and Auto Finance. The Credit as a Service segment originates a range of consumer loan products, such as private label and general purpose credit cards originated by lenders through various channels, including retail and healthcare, direct mail solicitation, digital marketing, and partnerships with third parties; and offers credit to their customers for the purchase of various goods and services, including consumer electronics, furniture, elective medical procedures, healthcare, and home-improvements by partnering with retailers, healthcare providers, and other service providers.