Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) Short Interest Update

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 2,620,000 shares, an increase of 19.6% from the February 13th total of 2,190,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 662,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.0 days. Currently, 3.7% of the company's stock are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Advanced Drainage Systems

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 68,651 shares of the construction company's stock worth $7,936,000 after purchasing an additional 2,601 shares in the last quarter. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ acquired a new stake in Advanced Drainage Systems during the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,641,000. EDENTREE ASSET MANAGEMENT Ltd increased its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems by 122.9% during the 4th quarter. EDENTREE ASSET MANAGEMENT Ltd now owns 15,055 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,740,000 after acquiring an additional 8,300 shares during the period. Novem Group bought a new position in Advanced Drainage Systems during the 4th quarter worth $689,000. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 63.2% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 2,064,527 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $238,659,000 after acquiring an additional 799,569 shares in the last quarter. 89.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Advanced Drainage Systems Stock Performance

WMS traded down $1.33 on Friday, reaching $108.33. The company had a trading volume of 1,844,493 shares, compared to its average volume of 541,321. The stock has a market cap of $8.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a current ratio of 3.21. Advanced Drainage Systems has a fifty-two week low of $101.90 and a fifty-two week high of $184.27. The company's fifty day moving average is $118.00 and its 200 day moving average is $131.44.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The construction company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.25). Advanced Drainage Systems had a net margin of 15.90% and a return on equity of 35.79%. As a group, analysts predict that Advanced Drainage Systems will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.59%. Advanced Drainage Systems's payout ratio is presently 10.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WMS has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $160.00 to $149.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Loop Capital decreased their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 7th. UBS Group raised Advanced Drainage Systems from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $155.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Stephens restated an "equal weight" rating and set a $135.00 target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $164.25.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.