United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (NASDAQ:USLM) Short Interest Up 34.7% in January

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (NASDAQ:USLM - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 359,700 shares, a growth of 34.7% from the January 15th total of 267,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 125,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.9 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Lime & Minerals

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of USLM. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of United States Lime & Minerals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC lifted its holdings in United States Lime & Minerals by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 5,525 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $733,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in shares of United States Lime & Minerals by 19.0% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 1,361 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $496,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. State of Wyoming purchased a new stake in shares of United States Lime & Minerals during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of United States Lime & Minerals during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.12% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded United States Lime & Minerals from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th.

United States Lime & Minerals Trading Up 1.8 %

United States Lime & Minerals stock traded up $1.84 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $106.16. The company had a trading volume of 90,065 shares, compared to its average volume of 136,404. The company has a market capitalization of $3.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.98 and a beta of 0.91. The company's fifty day moving average is $122.77 and its 200-day moving average is $110.86. United States Lime & Minerals has a 12-month low of $49.02 and a 12-month high of $159.53.

United States Lime & Minerals (NASDAQ:USLM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 3rd. The construction company reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter. United States Lime & Minerals had a net margin of 34.27% and a return on equity of 24.55%.

United States Lime & Minerals Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $0.06 dividend. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.23%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from United States Lime & Minerals's previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. United States Lime & Minerals's payout ratio is currently 5.27%.

About United States Lime & Minerals

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of lime and limestone products. Its products include High Calcium Quicklime, Hydrated Lime, Lime Kiln Dust, Lime Slurry, and High Calcium Limestone. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.