Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,170,000 shares, a decline of 6.4% from the January 15th total of 1,250,000 shares. Currently, 3.4% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 253,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.6 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Benchmark Electronics

In other news, CEO Jeff Benck sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.31, for a total transaction of $271,860.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 418,173 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,947,418.63. This represents a 1.41 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BHE. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Benchmark Electronics during the fourth quarter worth about $50,000. KBC Group NV boosted its position in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 125.3% in the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,534 shares of the technology company's stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 853 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its position in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 54.2% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,706 shares of the technology company's stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 12.9% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,547 shares of the technology company's stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming increased its position in Benchmark Electronics by 213.4% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 3,563 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $162,000 after buying an additional 2,426 shares in the last quarter. 92.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BHE shares. StockNews.com upgraded Benchmark Electronics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price target on shares of Benchmark Electronics from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $43.00.

Benchmark Electronics Stock Down 2.6 %

Benchmark Electronics stock traded down $1.11 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $41.10. 288,963 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 247,458. Benchmark Electronics has a one year low of $27.44 and a one year high of $52.57. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $44.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $44.70. The company has a current ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company has a market cap of $1.48 billion, a PE ratio of 23.76 and a beta of 0.99.

Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.01). Benchmark Electronics had a net margin of 2.38% and a return on equity of 6.68%.

Benchmark Electronics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.65%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. Benchmark Electronics's dividend payout ratio is presently 39.31%.

Benchmark Electronics Company Profile

Benchmark Electronics, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers product design, engineering services, technology solutions, and manufacturing services in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The company provides engineering services and technology solutions, including new product design, prototype, testing, and related engineering services; and custom testing and technology solutions, as well as automation equipment design and build services.