Cheniere Energy Partners (NYSE:CQP) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

Cheniere Energy Partners (NYSE:CQP - Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,040,000 shares, a decline of 21.8% from the February 28th total of 1,330,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 224,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.6 days. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Cheniere Energy Partners Price Performance

Shares of CQP stock traded down $4.10 during trading on Friday, hitting $60.13. 75,350 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 224,544. The company has a market capitalization of $29.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.12 and a beta of 0.57. Cheniere Energy Partners has a 52-week low of $45.51 and a 52-week high of $68.42. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $63.38.

Cheniere Energy Partners (NYSE:CQP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.02). Cheniere Energy Partners had a net margin of 28.84% and a negative return on equity of 325.95%. The company had revenue of $2.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.37 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that Cheniere Energy Partners will post 4.14 earnings per share for the current year.

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Cheniere Energy Partners Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a $0.775 dividend. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. This is a boost from Cheniere Energy Partners's previous quarterly dividend of $0.04. Cheniere Energy Partners's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 72.77%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on CQP. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $50.00 to $51.00 in a report on Friday, February 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from $46.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cheniere Energy Partners

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy Partners in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners by 30.1% in the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 1,341 shares of the company's stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners by 53.7% in the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,825 shares of the company's stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 638 shares during the period. Millburn Ridgefield Corp acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy Partners during the third quarter worth approximately $116,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in Cheniere Energy Partners by 64.5% during the fourth quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,550 shares of the company's stock worth $135,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the period. 46.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Cheniere Energy Partners Company Profile

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., through its subsidiaries, provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies worldwide. The company owns and operates natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.