Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPSS) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPSS - Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 486,000 shares, a decline of 5.3% from the January 15th total of 513,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 14.3 days. Currently, 5.5% of the company's shares are sold short.

Consumer Portfolio Services Stock Down 7.1 %

Shares of CPSS traded down $0.81 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $10.52. The company's stock had a trading volume of 15,365 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,431. The company's 50-day moving average is $11.16 and its 200-day moving average is $10.14. Consumer Portfolio Services has a 52-week low of $7.03 and a 52-week high of $12.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $225.23 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.09 and a beta of 1.98. The company has a current ratio of 19.17, a quick ratio of 19.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.52.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of Consumer Portfolio Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday.

Insider Buying and Selling at Consumer Portfolio Services

In other news, VP April Crisp sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.15, for a total value of $27,875.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 17,212 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $191,913.80. This represents a 12.68 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director William B. Roberts sold 15,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.45, for a total transaction of $156,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 700,078 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,315,815.10. The trade was a 2.10 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 37,775 shares of company stock valued at $397,149 in the last three months. Company insiders own 69.00% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Consumer Portfolio Services by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 193,181 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,098,000 after acquiring an additional 2,411 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Consumer Portfolio Services by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 186,220 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,747,000 after purchasing an additional 3,922 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in Consumer Portfolio Services by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 145,220 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,577,000 after purchasing an additional 2,700 shares in the last quarter. Verity & Verity LLC acquired a new position in Consumer Portfolio Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,309,000. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Consumer Portfolio Services during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $960,000. Institutional investors own 47.57% of the company's stock.

About Consumer Portfolio Services

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. It is involved in the purchase and service of retail automobile contracts originated by franchised automobile dealers and select independent dealers in the sale of new and used automobiles, light trucks, and passenger vans.