Halma plc (OTCMKTS:HLMAF) Short Interest Up 1,312.1% in January

Halma plc (OTCMKTS:HLMAF) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 872,700 shares, a growth of 1,312.1% from the January 15th total of 61,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 217,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on HLMAF. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Halma from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Halma to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Hsbc Global Res downgraded shares of Halma from a “hold” rating to a “moderate sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded Halma to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 28th.

Halma Trading Up 0.3 %

HLMAF opened at $36.13 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $35.04 and a 200-day moving average of $33.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.72, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Halma has a 52-week low of $26.82 and a 52-week high of $38.53.

Halma Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a $9.00 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 19th.

About Halma

Halma plc, together its subsidiaries, provides technology solutions in the safety, health, and environmental markets in the United States, Mainland Europe, the United Kingdom, the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Safety, Environmental & Analysis, and Medical.