NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTES) Short Interest Update

NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTES - Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,590,000 shares, a decrease of 18.6% from the November 30th total of 4,410,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,710,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Approximately 0.6% of the company's shares are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NetEase

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in shares of NetEase by 7.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 6,915 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $588,000 after buying an additional 507 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in NetEase in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $4,138,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its position in NetEase by 5.6% in the third quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 13,245 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,145,000 after acquiring an additional 701 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Resource Group raised its stake in shares of NetEase by 22.0% during the third quarter. Advisory Resource Group now owns 12,626 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,181,000 after purchasing an additional 2,281 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in shares of NetEase during the third quarter worth $11,636,000. 11.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NetEase Stock Down 0.9 %

NASDAQ NTES traded down $0.83 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $91.48. The stock had a trading volume of 459,532 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,690,029. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $86.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $87.90. The company has a market cap of $58.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.45, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.57. NetEase has a 52-week low of $75.85 and a 52-week high of $114.50.

NetEase Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 29th were issued a $0.435 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 29th. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.90%. NetEase's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NTES has been the subject of several research reports. Benchmark cut their price objective on NetEase from $120.00 to $105.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 15th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of NetEase from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of NetEase from $108.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, NetEase currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $107.29.

NetEase Company Profile

NetEase, Inc engages in online games, music streaming, online intelligent learning services, and internet content services businesses in China and internationally . The company operates through Games and Related Value-Added Services, Youdao, Cloud Music, and Innovative Businesses and Others segments.