Ultrapar Participações S.A. (NYSE:UGP) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

Ultrapar Participações S.A. (NYSE:UGP - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 2,950,000 shares, a decline of 41.0% from the February 13th total of 5,000,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,620,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ultrapar Participações

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UGP. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new stake in Ultrapar Participações in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ultrapar Participações in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Wolverine Trading LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ultrapar Participações during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Freedom Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Ultrapar Participações during the 3rd quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in Ultrapar Participações by 23.0% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 19,705 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 3,688 shares during the period. 3.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ultrapar Participações Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE:UGP traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $3.14. 2,322,298 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,519,946. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The firm's fifty day moving average is $2.83 and its 200-day moving average is $3.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.42. Ultrapar Participações has a 12-month low of $2.53 and a 12-month high of $5.85.

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Ultrapar Participações Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be issued a $0.0774 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. Ultrapar Participações's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on UGP shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Ultrapar Participações from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $4.10 to $3.20 in a research note on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Ultrapar Participações from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Scotiabank raised shares of Ultrapar Participações to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, December 27th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Ultrapar Participações from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, HSBC upgraded shares of Ultrapar Participações from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $3.20.

About Ultrapar Participações

Ultrapar Participações SA, through its subsidiaries, operates in the energy and infrastructure business in Brazil. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, in addition to renewable electricity and compressed natural gas. It also operates in the distribution and marketing of gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas for vehicles, and lubricants; and holds AmPm convenience stores and provides JetOil lubricant services.