Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) Short Interest Up 10.2% in December

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,310,000 shares, a growth of 10.2% from the December 15th total of 4,820,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,110,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days.

Eversource Energy Stock Down 0.4 %

ES traded down $0.21 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $57.91. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,137,868 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,805,250. The stock's 50-day moving average is $59.43 and its 200-day moving average is $62.95. Eversource Energy has a 1 year low of $52.09 and a 1 year high of $69.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -36.88, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $3.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.06 billion. Eversource Energy had a positive return on equity of 10.90% and a negative net margin of 4.73%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.97 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Eversource Energy will post 4.56 EPS for the current year.

Eversource Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 18th were given a $0.715 dividend. This represents a $2.86 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.94%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 18th. Eversource Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently -182.17%.

Institutional Trading of Eversource Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ES. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new position in shares of Eversource Energy in the third quarter worth $31,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Eversource Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in Eversource Energy by 62.9% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 513 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Eversource Energy by 162.0% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 566 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the period. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eversource Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. 79.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Eversource Energy in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. They set an "underperform" rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on Eversource Energy from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Eversource Energy from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Eversource Energy from $62.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Eversource Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, December 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eversource Energy currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $68.38.

Eversource Energy Company Profile

Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas.