Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,900,000 shares, a growth of 60.7% from the February 28th total of 3,050,000 shares. Currently, 4.0% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 872,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.6 days.

Urban Edge Properties Stock Up 1.9 %

Urban Edge Properties stock traded up $0.36 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $19.37. 164,942 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 876,621. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a current ratio of 1.92. The firm has a market cap of $2.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.83 and a beta of 1.54. The business has a fifty day moving average of $19.90 and a 200 day moving average of $21.15. Urban Edge Properties has a 12-month low of $15.81 and a 12-month high of $23.85.

Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.09 by $0.25. Urban Edge Properties had a net margin of 16.31% and a return on equity of 5.59%. Research analysts anticipate that Urban Edge Properties will post 1.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Urban Edge Properties Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th were given a dividend of $0.19 per share. This is a boost from Urban Edge Properties's previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. Urban Edge Properties's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 128.81%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. GF Fund Management CO. LTD. acquired a new stake in Urban Edge Properties during the 4th quarter worth $47,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Urban Edge Properties during the fourth quarter worth $49,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Urban Edge Properties by 76.9% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,367 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 1,029 shares in the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Urban Edge Properties by 858.7% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 3,969 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $85,000 after acquiring an additional 3,555 shares during the period. Finally, USA Financial Formulas purchased a new position in shares of Urban Edge Properties in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $93,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.94% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on UE. StockNews.com raised Urban Edge Properties from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on shares of Urban Edge Properties from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th.

Urban Edge Properties Company Profile

Urban Edge Properties is a NYSE listed real estate investment trust focused on owning, managing, acquiring, developing, and redeveloping retail real estate in urban communities, primarily in the Washington, DC to Boston corridor. Urban Edge owns 76 properties totaling 17.1 million square feet of gross leasable area.