Short Interest in STAG Industrial, Inc. (NYSE:STAG) Decreases By 13.3%

STAG Industrial, Inc. (NYSE:STAG - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,190,000 shares, a decline of 13.3% from the January 31st total of 3,680,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,210,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days.

STAG Industrial Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE:STAG traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $36.83. 2,226,170 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,327,788. STAG Industrial has a 52-week low of $32.27 and a 52-week high of $41.63. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $34.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.52. The firm has a market cap of $6.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.41 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.36.

STAG Industrial (NYSE:STAG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.43. STAG Industrial had a return on equity of 5.51% and a net margin of 24.64%. As a group, analysts predict that STAG Industrial will post 2.47 EPS for the current year.

STAG Industrial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.1242 per share. This represents a yield of 4.25%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This is an increase from STAG Industrial's previous dividend of $0.12. STAG Industrial's dividend payout ratio is 143.27%.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays decreased their price target on STAG Industrial from $40.00 to $37.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on STAG Industrial from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 27th. Finally, Raymond James upped their price target on shares of STAG Industrial from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $40.38.

Insider Activity at STAG Industrial

In related news, Director Benjamin S. Butcher sold 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.10, for a total transaction of $1,755,000.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 9,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $338,083.20. The trade was a 83.85 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sugar Maple Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in STAG Industrial during the 4th quarter worth $43,000. Coastline Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of STAG Industrial in the third quarter worth about $55,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of STAG Industrial in the fourth quarter valued at about $62,000. Hilltop National Bank lifted its position in STAG Industrial by 19.2% during the 4th quarter. Hilltop National Bank now owns 2,243 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 362 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in STAG Industrial by 20.7% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 2,977 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $101,000 after acquiring an additional 510 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.67% of the company's stock.

About STAG Industrial

STAG Industrial, Inc is a real estate investment company, which engages in acquiring, owning, and managing single-tenant, industrial real estate assets. It offers industrial real estate operating platform to real estate ownership. The company was founded by Benjamin S. Butcher on July 21, 2010 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.