Short Interest in United-Guardian, Inc. (NASDAQ:UG) Decreases By 21.7%

United-Guardian, Inc. (NASDAQ:UG) saw a significant decrease in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,800 shares, a decrease of 21.7% from the March 15th total of 2,300 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 9,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United-Guardian

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in United-Guardian by 277.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 4,521 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 3,322 shares in the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC grew its stake in United-Guardian by 55.4% in the second quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 15,694 shares of the company’s stock worth $134,000 after purchasing an additional 5,596 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp purchased a new position in United-Guardian during the 4th quarter worth $151,000. UBS Group AG raised its position in United-Guardian by 39.3% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 25,834 shares of the company’s stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 7,289 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of United-Guardian by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 133,245 shares of the company’s stock worth $959,000 after buying an additional 1,949 shares during the period. 23.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United-Guardian Stock Performance

NASDAQ:UG opened at $7.65 on Monday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $8.10 and its 200 day moving average is $7.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.11 million, a PE ratio of 13.66 and a beta of 0.73. United-Guardian has a fifty-two week low of $5.79 and a fifty-two week high of $10.25.

United-Guardian (NASDAQ:UG) last released its earnings results on Friday, March 22nd. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.61 million during the quarter. United-Guardian had a net margin of 23.71% and a return on equity of 24.26%.

United-Guardian Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 12th were paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 5.8%. United-Guardian’s dividend payout ratio is 89.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on United-Guardian in a research report on Friday. They issued a “buy” rating for the company.

About United-Guardian

United-Guardian, Inc manufactures and markets cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceuticals, medical lubricants, and proprietary specialty industrial products in the United States and internationally The company offers cosmetic ingredients, including LUBRAJEL, a line of water-based gel formulation for sensory enhancement, lubrication, and texture to personal care products; LUBRAJEL NATURAL for skin moisturizing; LUBRAJEL MARINE that develops natural products using naturally derived polymers; LUBRAJEL OlL NATURAL, which makes luxuriant textures without adding viscosity; LUBRAJEL TERRA, a multifunctional, moisturizing hydrogel products; LUBRASIL II SB, a formulation of LUBRAJEL; LUBRAJEL II XD; B-122, a powdered lubricant used in the manufacture of pressed powders, eyeliners, rouges, and industrial products; and ORCHID COMPLEX, an oil-soluble base for extract of fresh orchids used in fragrance products, such as perfumes and toiletries.