Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE) Short Interest Update

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,170,000 shares, a decrease of 6.4% from the January 15th total of 1,250,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 253,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.6 days. Approximately 3.4% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on BHE shares. StockNews.com upgraded Benchmark Electronics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Needham & Company LLC raised their price objective on Benchmark Electronics from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Benchmark Electronics currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $43.00.

Benchmark Electronics Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BHE traded down $1.11 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $41.10. 288,963 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 247,458. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 2.32 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $45.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.69. The firm has a market cap of $1.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.76 and a beta of 0.99. Benchmark Electronics has a twelve month low of $27.44 and a twelve month high of $52.57.

Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.01). Benchmark Electronics had a return on equity of 6.68% and a net margin of 2.38%.

Benchmark Electronics Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. Benchmark Electronics's dividend payout ratio is currently 39.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Benchmark Electronics

In related news, CEO Jeff Benck sold 6,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.31, for a total value of $271,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 418,173 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,947,418.63. This trade represents a 1.41 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Boston Partners grew its stake in Benchmark Electronics by 569.5% during the fourth quarter. Boston Partners now owns 416,831 shares of the technology company's stock worth $17,638,000 after buying an additional 354,567 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Benchmark Electronics by 45.2% in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 815,499 shares of the technology company's stock worth $37,024,000 after purchasing an additional 253,730 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Benchmark Electronics by 16.9% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,153,257 shares of the technology company's stock worth $52,358,000 after purchasing an additional 166,967 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in Benchmark Electronics by 90.4% in the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 336,466 shares of the technology company's stock worth $15,276,000 after purchasing an additional 159,769 shares during the period. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 8.9% during the third quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 1,944,347 shares of the technology company's stock worth $86,173,000 after acquiring an additional 159,659 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.29% of the company's stock.

Benchmark Electronics Company Profile

Benchmark Electronics, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers product design, engineering services, technology solutions, and manufacturing services in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The company provides engineering services and technology solutions, including new product design, prototype, testing, and related engineering services; and custom testing and technology solutions, as well as automation equipment design and build services.