Halma plc (OTCMKTS:HLMAF) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Halma plc (OTCMKTS:HLMAF) saw a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 266,800 shares, a drop of 26.6% from the February 13th total of 363,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 20,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 13.2 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Halma Stock Up 3.0 %

Shares of Halma stock traded up $1.02 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $35.62. 8,880 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 40,943. The company has a current ratio of 2.72, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $35.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $34.29. Halma has a 12 month low of $27.03 and a 12 month high of $38.53.

Halma Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

HLMAF has been the subject of several analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded Halma to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 28th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Halma from a “moderate sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. HSBC raised shares of Halma to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Berenberg Bank upgraded shares of Halma from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”.

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.