Lakeland Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:LAKE) Short Interest Up 57.0% in September

Lakeland Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:LAKE - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 96,700 shares, a growth of 57.0% from the August 31st total of 61,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 45,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.1 days. Currently, 1.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Lakeland Industries from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Roth Mkm increased their target price on shares of Lakeland Industries from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, Maxim Group lifted their target price on shares of Lakeland Industries from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 6th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in Lakeland Industries by 6.9% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 10,873 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $199,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. raised its position in Lakeland Industries by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 168,573 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $3,085,000 after purchasing an additional 1,503 shares during the last quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Lakeland Industries by 37.2% in the 1st quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,700 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $196,000 after acquiring an additional 2,900 shares in the last quarter. High Falls Advisors Inc raised its position in shares of Lakeland Industries by 35.8% in the 2nd quarter. High Falls Advisors Inc now owns 19,472 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $447,000 after acquiring an additional 5,137 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd raised its position in shares of Lakeland Industries by 47.0% in the 1st quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 18,641 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 5,957 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.69% of the company's stock.

Lakeland Industries Trading Down 0.5 %

LAKE stock traded down $0.11 during trading on Friday, hitting $20.18. 26,782 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 37,547. The firm has a market capitalization of $148.89 million, a PE ratio of 27.05 and a beta of 0.57. Lakeland Industries has a 1 year low of $13.86 and a 1 year high of $26.10. The company has a 50-day moving average of $22.52 and a 200-day moving average of $20.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 4.24.

Lakeland Industries (NASDAQ:LAKE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, September 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported ($0.19) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.61). The company had revenue of $38.51 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $41.10 million. Lakeland Industries had a net margin of 1.38% and a return on equity of 3.70%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.32 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Lakeland Industries will post 0.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lakeland Industries Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $0.03 per share. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. Lakeland Industries's payout ratio is 16.00%.

About Lakeland Industries

Lakeland Industries, Inc manufactures and sells industrial protective clothing and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market worldwide. It offers firefighting and heat protective apparel to protect against fire; high-end chemical protective suits to provide protection from highly concentrated, toxic and/or lethal chemicals, and biological toxins; and limited use/disposable protective clothing, such as coveralls, laboratory coats, shirts, pants, hoods, aprons, sleeves, arm guards, caps, and smocks.