ICL Group Ltd (NYSE:ICL) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

ICL Group Ltd (NYSE:ICL - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,890,000 shares, an increase of 40.0% from the January 31st total of 1,350,000 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 901,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com downgraded ICL Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Barclays boosted their price objective on ICL Group from $6.00 to $7.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on ICL Group from $6.00 to $6.50 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th.

ICL Group Price Performance

Shares of ICL traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $6.08. 311,252 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 956,686. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.66, a PEG ratio of 7.10 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50-day moving average of $5.73 and a 200 day moving average of $4.84. ICL Group has a one year low of $3.79 and a one year high of $6.57.

ICL Group (NYSE:ICL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. ICL Group had a return on equity of 8.31% and a net margin of 5.83%. As a group, equities analysts expect that ICL Group will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ICL Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be given a $0.0403 dividend. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.65%. This is a positive change from ICL Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. ICL Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.00%.

Institutional Trading of ICL Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ICL. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its position in shares of ICL Group by 56.8% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 5,273 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 1,910 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLC boosted its stake in ICL Group by 754.0% in the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 7,447 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 6,575 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP raised its position in shares of ICL Group by 35.6% during the 3rd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 11,380 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 2,985 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in shares of ICL Group by 223.7% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 10,715 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 7,405 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of ICL Group in the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. 13.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

ICL Group Company Profile

ICL Group Ltd, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty minerals and chemicals company worldwide. It operates in four segments: Industrial Products, Potash, Phosphate Solutions, and Growing Solutions. The Industrial Products segment produces bromine out of a solution that is a by-product of the potash production process, as well as bromine-based compounds; produces various grades of potash, salt, magnesium chloride, and magnesia products; and produces and markets phosphorous-based flame retardants and other phosphorus-based products.