Short Interest in Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEIS) Rises By 6.1%

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEIS - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,780,000 shares, an increase of 6.1% from the December 31st total of 2,620,000 shares. Approximately 7.5% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 228,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 12.2 days.

Advanced Energy Industries Stock Performance

Shares of AEIS traded down $0.84 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $113.10. 173,055 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 254,552. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $117.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $110.39. Advanced Energy Industries has a 52-week low of $89.11 and a 52-week high of $130.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.26 billion, a PE ratio of 99.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 4.62 and a quick ratio of 3.32.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Lanesha Minnix sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.72, for a total transaction of $111,720.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,092 shares of the company's stock, valued at $568,878.24. The trade was a 16.41 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Advanced Energy Industries

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AEIS. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Advanced Energy Industries during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $9,864,000. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Advanced Energy Industries by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 10,926 shares of the electronics maker's stock valued at $1,263,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Advanced Energy Industries during the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,971,000. M&T Bank Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Advanced Energy Industries by 99.9% during the fourth quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 25,564 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $2,956,000 after purchasing an additional 12,774 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Advanced Energy Industries by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 460,121 shares of the electronics maker's stock valued at $53,204,000 after buying an additional 18,533 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on AEIS shares. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and set a $125.00 target price on shares of Advanced Energy Industries in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of Advanced Energy Industries from $103.00 to $92.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 11th. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Advanced Energy Industries from $120.00 to $118.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Needham & Company LLC reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $145.00 target price on shares of Advanced Energy Industries in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Advanced Energy Industries from $124.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $126.89.

About Advanced Energy Industries

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc provides precision power conversion, measurement, and control solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's plasma power products offer solutions to enable innovation for semiconductor and thin film plasma processes, such as dry etch and deposition.