Roche Holding AG (OTCMKTS:RHHBY) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Roche Holding AG (OTCMKTS:RHHBY) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,665,700 shares, a decline of 68.8% from the February 28th total of 11,741,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 5,260,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Roche Stock Down 1.0 %

Roche stock traded down $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $41.92. The stock had a trading volume of 5,202,103 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,280,667. Roche has a 52-week low of $29.20 and a 52-week high of $44.31. The company has a fifty day moving average of $41.06 and a 200 day moving average of $38.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.26.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently issued reports on RHHBY. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Roche in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “equal weight” rating on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Roche to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Roche from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Roche presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in Roche during the 3rd quarter worth about $40,000. IHT Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Roche in the 3rd quarter valued at $236,000. Verity Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Roche by 26.8% in the fourth quarter. Verity Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,036 shares of the company’s stock worth $280,000 after buying an additional 1,697 shares in the last quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Roche by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC now owns 11,091 shares of the company’s stock worth $387,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Confluence Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Roche by 26.3% in the 4th quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 13,981 shares of the company’s stock worth $488,000 after acquiring an additional 2,910 shares during the last quarter.

Roche Company Profile

Roche Holding AG engages in the pharmaceuticals and diagnostics businesses in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Oceania. The company offers pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic areas of anemia, blood and solid tumors, dermatology, hemophilia, inflammatory and autoimmune, neurological disorders, ophthalmology, respiratory disorders, and transplantation.