Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE:FHI) Short Interest Up 29.3% in February

Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE:FHI) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,120,000 shares, an increase of 29.3% from the January 31st total of 1,640,000 shares. Approximately 2.7% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 644,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.3 days.

Federated Hermes Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FHI traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $38.94. 94,573 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 707,425. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.10. The company’s 50 day moving average is $39.01 and its 200 day moving average is $38.72. Federated Hermes has a one year low of $31.24 and a one year high of $43.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.70 and a quick ratio of 2.03.

Federated Hermes (NYSE:FHI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.08. Federated Hermes had a return on equity of 30.31% and a net margin of 16.44%. On average, research analysts expect that Federated Hermes will post 4.04 EPS for the current year.

Federated Hermes Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Federated Hermes’s payout ratio is presently 38.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on FHI shares. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Federated Hermes from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Evercore ISI set a $44.00 price objective on shares of Federated Hermes in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $41.00 price objective (down previously from $42.00) on shares of Federated Hermes in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. StockNews.com raised shares of Federated Hermes from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “hold” rating and set a $43.00 target price (down previously from $45.00) on shares of Federated Hermes in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $42.17.

Insider Transactions at Federated Hermes

In other news, CEO Saker Anwar Nusseibeh sold 5,546 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.81, for a total value of $215,240.26. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 179,096 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,950,715.76. The trade was a 3.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 3.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Federated Hermes

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Federated Hermes during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Federated Hermes in the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Federated Hermes in the 4th quarter valued at $53,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Federated Hermes during the 3rd quarter worth about $60,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Federated Hermes by 60.9% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,707 shares of the company’s stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 646 shares during the period. 75.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Federated Hermes Company Profile

Federated Hermes, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, including high net worth individuals, banking or thrift institutions, investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities, and registered investment advisors.