The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) Short Interest Update

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,300,000 shares, a growth of 18.3% from the July 31st total of 4,480,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,520,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Estée Lauder Companies Stock Up 1.9 %

Estée Lauder Companies stock traded up $1.74 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $91.66. 2,653,517 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,071,413. The company has a market cap of $32.87 billion, a PE ratio of 51.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.99. Estée Lauder Companies has a fifty-two week low of $86.05 and a fifty-two week high of $165.76. The company's fifty day moving average price is $98.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $124.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.15.

Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 19th. The company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.39. The firm had revenue of $3.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.80 billion. Estée Lauder Companies had a net margin of 4.18% and a return on equity of 13.08%. The firm's revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.07 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Estée Lauder Companies will post 2.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Estée Lauder Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.88%. Estée Lauder Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 148.31%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on EL. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Estée Lauder Companies from $115.00 to $100.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $129.00 to $105.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $130.00 to $117.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $180.00 to $130.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $131.00 price target on shares of Estée Lauder Companies in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Estée Lauder Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $122.77.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Lynn Forester sold 3,890 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.61, for a total transaction of $364,142.90. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 15,209 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,423,714.49. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Charlene Barshefsky sold 3,437 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.93, for a total value of $315,963.41. Following the transaction, the director now owns 49,800 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,578,114. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Lynn Forester sold 3,890 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.61, for a total value of $364,142.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 15,209 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,423,714.49. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 12.77% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Estée Lauder Companies

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Estée Lauder Companies during the fourth quarter worth $9,689,000. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies by 121.8% in the 4th quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,302 shares of the company's stock worth $190,000 after buying an additional 715 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies by 8.6% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 148,812 shares of the company's stock valued at $21,787,000 after buying an additional 11,761 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Estée Lauder Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $216,000. Finally, Concord Wealth Partners lifted its holdings in Estée Lauder Companies by 9.1% in the fourth quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 1,173 shares of the company's stock worth $172,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.15% of the company's stock.

About Estée Lauder Companies

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools.