One Liberty Properties, Inc. (NYSE:OLP) Short Interest Up 40.8% in March

One Liberty Properties, Inc. (NYSE:OLP - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 92,500 shares, an increase of 40.8% from the March 15th total of 65,700 shares. Currently, 0.6% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 61,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Justin Clair sold 3,324 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.10, for a total transaction of $83,432.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 35,750 shares of the company's stock, valued at $897,325. This trade represents a 8.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 25.40% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On One Liberty Properties

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in OLP. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of One Liberty Properties by 3,024.2% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 24,431 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $642,000 after buying an additional 23,649 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in One Liberty Properties by 934.8% during the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,443 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $148,000 after purchasing an additional 4,917 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in One Liberty Properties by 30.6% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 10,776 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $294,000 after purchasing an additional 2,526 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of One Liberty Properties by 24.9% in the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 23,793 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $648,000 after purchasing an additional 4,745 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in shares of One Liberty Properties by 88.0% in the fourth quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 18,155 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $495,000 after purchasing an additional 8,496 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 36.24% of the company's stock.

One Liberty Properties Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of OLP traded down $0.26 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $24.23. The stock had a trading volume of 10,040 shares, compared to its average volume of 53,194. The company has a market capitalization of $522.95 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.98, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $25.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $26.72. The company has a current ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 2.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. One Liberty Properties has a 12 month low of $22.32 and a 12 month high of $30.45.

One Liberty Properties Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 27th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.43%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 27th. One Liberty Properties's payout ratio is 128.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of One Liberty Properties from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, March 15th.

One Liberty Properties Company Profile

One Liberty Properties, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in acquisition, ownership, and management of the geographically diversified portfolio consisting primarily of industrial, retail, restaurant, health and fitness, and theater properties, many of which are subject to long-term leases.