Short Interest in Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) Declines By 17.3%

Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 396,100 shares, a drop of 17.3% from the November 30th total of 478,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 173,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.3 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wedbush reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $51.00 target price on shares of Willdan Group in a report on Monday, November 4th. StockNews.com cut Willdan Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th.

Willdan Group Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of Willdan Group stock traded down $0.35 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $38.41. The company had a trading volume of 112,745 shares, compared to its average volume of 105,695. Willdan Group has a 52-week low of $17.23 and a 52-week high of $50.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $542.54 million, a P/E ratio of 23.56 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a 50 day moving average of $42.80 and a 200 day moving average of $38.43.

Insider Transactions at Willdan Group

In other news, Director Thomas Donald Brisbin sold 7,700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.45, for a total value of $334,565.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 406,704 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,671,288.80. This trade represents a 1.86 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Creighton K. Early sold 4,349 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.13, for a total transaction of $187,572.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 69,146 shares in the company, valued at $2,982,266.98. The trade was a 5.92 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 21,787 shares of company stock valued at $936,061 over the last three months. Company insiders own 9.80% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willdan Group

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Willdan Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. nVerses Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Willdan Group by 125.0% in the 3rd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 900 shares of the construction company's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Willdan Group in the third quarter worth $44,000. ProShare Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willdan Group during the second quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, FMR LLC increased its holdings in Willdan Group by 343.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,935 shares of the construction company's stock worth $161,000 after buying an additional 3,048 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.29% of the company's stock.

About Willdan Group

Willdan Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides professional, technical, and consulting services primarily in the United States. It operates in two segments, Energy, and Engineering and Consulting. The Energy segment offers comprehensive audit and surveys, program design and implementation, master planning, demand reduction, grid optimization, benchmarking analyses, design engineering, construction management, performance contracting, installation, alternative financing, measurement and verification services, and software and data analytics, as well as energy consulting and engineering, turnkey facility and infrastructure projects, and customer support services.