Lesaka Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:LSAK) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Lesaka Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:LSAK) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 189,844 shares, a growth of 44.7% from the January 15th total of 131,230 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 68,242 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days. Approximately 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Approximately 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 68,242 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Lesaka Technologies in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Zacks Research upgraded Lesaka Technologies from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Lesaka Technologies to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

Lesaka Technologies Stock Performance

NASDAQ:LSAK opened at $4.41 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $4.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $4.38. The stock has a market cap of $370.09 million, a P/E ratio of -7.00 and a beta of 0.47. Lesaka Technologies has a 1-year low of $3.39 and a 1-year high of $5.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09.

Lesaka Technologies (NASDAQ:LSAK) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.04 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $93.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $166.00 million. Lesaka Technologies had a negative return on equity of 28.23% and a negative net margin of 7.87%.Lesaka Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.260-0.260 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Lesaka Technologies will post -0.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lesaka Technologies

In other news, CFO Daniel Luke Smith acquired 11,503 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was bought at an average price of $4.40 per share, with a total value of $50,613.20. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 23,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $103,400. The trade was a 95.88% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Ali Mazanderani bought 1,800,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $5.00 per share, for a total transaction of $9,000,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chairman owned 2,325,115 shares in the company, valued at $11,625,575. This trade represents a 342.78% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders purchased 1,830,500 shares of company stock valued at $9,130,204 over the last three months. 3.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in Lesaka Technologies during the third quarter worth about $74,000. Citadel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Lesaka Technologies by 26.4% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 18,977 shares of the company’s stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 3,959 shares during the last quarter. Schwarz Dygos Wheeler Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Lesaka Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $595,000. Potomac Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Lesaka Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $4,766,000. Finally, Rathbones Group PLC lifted its stake in Lesaka Technologies by 90.2% in the 2nd quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 3,419,420 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,353,000 after purchasing an additional 1,622,088 shares during the last quarter. 24.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Lesaka Technologies

Lesaka Technologies, Inc operates as a Fintech company that utilizes its proprietary banking and payment technologies to deliver financial services solutions to merchants (B2B) and consumers (B2C) in Southern Africa. It offers cash management solutions, growth capital, card acquiring, bill payment technologies, and value-added services to formal and informal retail merchants, as well as banking, lending, and insurance solutions to consumers across Southern Africa. The company also engages in the sale of POS devices, SIM cards, and other consumables; and license of rights to use certain technology developed by the company, as well as offers related technology services.