ING Groep (NYSE:ING) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

ING Groep (NYSE:ING - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,430,000 shares, a growth of 184.3% from the February 28th total of 1,910,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,940,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

ING Groep Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ING traded down $0.22 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $19.60. 2,658,962 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,008,584. ING Groep has a fifty-two week low of $15.09 and a fifty-two week high of $20.79. The firm has a market cap of $68.55 billion, a PE ratio of 9.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.42 and a beta of 1.44. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $18.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $17.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13.

ING Groep (NYSE:ING - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.41 by ($0.02). ING Groep had a net margin of 28.30% and a return on equity of 11.81%. Equities research analysts anticipate that ING Groep will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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ING Groep Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 25th will be given a $0.6526 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 25th. This is a boost from ING Groep's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. This represents a yield of 5.1%. ING Groep's payout ratio is 60.75%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ING Groep

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of ING Groep in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its holdings in shares of ING Groep by 184.8% in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,860 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 1,207 shares in the last quarter. Redwood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ING Groep during the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of ING Groep during the 4th quarter worth $45,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of ING Groep by 25.1% in the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,095 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 621 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 4.49% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of ING Groep from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ING Groep presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

ING Groep Company Profile

ING Groep N.V. provides various banking products and services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium, Retail Germany, Retail Other, and Wholesale Banking. The company accepts current and savings accounts.