Short Interest in H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO) Rises By 24.3%

H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,200,349 shares, a growth of 24.3% from the November 30th total of 966,012 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 438,392 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days. Approximately 3.4% of the company’s stock are short sold. Approximately 3.4% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 438,392 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days.

H2O America Stock Down 0.5%

HTO stock opened at $48.99 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 0.49. H2O America has a twelve month low of $43.75 and a twelve month high of $57.17. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $47.70 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $49.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15.

H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.10. H2O America had a return on equity of 7.87% and a net margin of 13.59%.The company had revenue of $240.55 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $232.27 million. Analysts anticipate that H2O America will post 2.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

H2O America Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. H2O America’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of H2O America in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of H2O America in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $56.50.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On H2O America

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in H2O America in the third quarter valued at approximately $959,000. Creative Planning acquired a new position in shares of H2O America during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $254,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new stake in H2O America in the 3rd quarter valued at $256,000. iSAM Funds UK Ltd acquired a new stake in H2O America during the 3rd quarter valued at $338,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank acquired a new stake in H2O America during the 3rd quarter valued at $305,000. 84.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About H2O America

SJW Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in the United States. It operates in Water Utility Services and Real Estate Services segments. The company engages in the production, purchase, storage, purification, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of water and wastewater services; and supplies groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from the Santa Clara Valley Water District.