Short Interest in Central Puerto S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:CEPU) Increases By 44.5%

Central Puerto S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:CEPU) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 302,338 shares, a growth of 44.5% from the November 30th total of 209,166 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 363,390 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 363,390 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days. Approximately 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Central Puerto Stock Performance

Shares of Central Puerto stock traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $17.27. 278,448 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 286,929. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $15.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.81 and a beta of 1.06. Central Puerto has a 12-month low of $7.43 and a 12-month high of $18.50.

Central Puerto (NYSE:CEPU) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Central Puerto had a net margin of 28.24% and a return on equity of 15.01%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Central Puerto will post 0.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Central Puerto from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Central Puerto in a report on Monday. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of Central Puerto in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $17.50 target price for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $17.50.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Central Puerto

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CEPU. Van ECK Associates Corp bought a new stake in shares of Central Puerto in the third quarter valued at $60,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new stake in shares of Central Puerto in the third quarter valued at approximately $138,000. Banco Santander S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Central Puerto during the third quarter worth $138,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Central Puerto by 13.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 20,531 shares of the company’s stock valued at $240,000 after buying an additional 2,460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Central Puerto by 4,431.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 30,540 shares of the company’s stock worth $339,000 after buying an additional 29,866 shares in the last quarter. 2.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Central Puerto

Central Puerto SA (NYSE: CEPU) is Argentina’s leading private power generation company, managing a diversified portfolio of thermal and renewable energy facilities across the country. Established following the privatization of the state-owned electricity company in the early 1990s, Central Puerto develops, operates and maintains a mix of combined-cycle and open-cycle gas turbine plants, as well as hydroelectric and renewable installations. The company’s thermal assets provide baseload and flexible generation capacity, while its renewable portfolio includes wind farms and solar parks that support Argentina’s clean energy objectives.

Headquartered in Buenos Aires, Central Puerto serves the national wholesale electricity market through long-term contracts with distribution companies and major industrial clients.