Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE:HI) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE:HI - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,140,000 shares, a growth of 6.5% from the September 30th total of 2,010,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 500,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.3 days. Currently, 3.1% of the company's stock are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on HI shares. KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of Hillenbrand in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $50.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of Hillenbrand from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, September 6th. Finally, DA Davidson cut shares of Hillenbrand from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $54.00 to $33.00 in a report on Monday, August 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $48.00.

Hillenbrand Price Performance

Shares of HI stock traded up $0.23 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $27.78. The stock had a trading volume of 144,481 shares, compared to its average volume of 386,371. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $28.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is $37.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.95 billion, a PE ratio of -9.37 and a beta of 1.38. Hillenbrand has a 12 month low of $25.11 and a 12 month high of $50.58.

Hillenbrand (NYSE:HI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $786.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $818.16 million. Hillenbrand had a negative net margin of 6.67% and a positive return on equity of 14.89%. Hillenbrand's revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.95 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Hillenbrand will post 3.23 EPS for the current year.

Hillenbrand Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th were paid a $0.2225 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 16th. This is an increase from Hillenbrand's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. Hillenbrand's payout ratio is currently -30.27%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hillenbrand

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Hillenbrand by 58.2% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 712 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Matrix Trust Co purchased a new stake in Hillenbrand in the third quarter worth $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new stake in Hillenbrand in the second quarter worth $90,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in Hillenbrand during the 2nd quarter valued at $93,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in Hillenbrand during the 1st quarter valued at $117,000. Institutional investors own 89.09% of the company's stock.

About Hillenbrand

Hillenbrand, Inc operates as an industrial company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Advanced Process Solutions and Molding Technology Solutions. The Advanced Process Solutions segment designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and services process and material handling equipment and systems comprising compounding, extrusion, and material handling equipment, equipment system design services, as well as offers mixing technology, ingredient automation, and portion process; and provides screening and separating equipment for various industries, including plastics, food and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, fertilizers, minerals, energy, wastewater treatment, forest products, and other general industrials.