Diana Shipping inc. (NYSE:DSX) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Diana Shipping inc. (NYSE:DSX) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 944,434 shares, an increase of 23.4% from the December 15th total of 765,387 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 560,672 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 0.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 0.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 560,672 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days.

Diana Shipping Stock Down 2.7%

Shares of NYSE:DSX opened at $2.00 on Wednesday. Diana Shipping has a 52-week low of $1.27 and a 52-week high of $2.18. The company has a market capitalization of $230.98 million, a PE ratio of 18.14 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 2.24 and a current ratio of 2.29. The company has a fifty day moving average of $1.81 and a 200-day moving average of $1.72.

Diana Shipping (NYSE:DSX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 20th. The shipping company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter. Diana Shipping had a return on equity of 4.93% and a net margin of 11.18%.The business had revenue of $51.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $57.00 million.

Diana Shipping Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th were paid a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 8th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Diana Shipping’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.36%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Diana Shipping in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Diana Shipping from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Sell”.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diana Shipping

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DSX. R Squared Ltd raised its position in shares of Diana Shipping by 117.1% during the second quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 35,600 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 19,205 shares during the last quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. raised its holdings in Diana Shipping by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 2,841,710 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $4,149,000 after purchasing an additional 417,275 shares during the last quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA bought a new position in Diana Shipping during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $72,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Diana Shipping in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,088,000. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new stake in shares of Diana Shipping in the 3rd quarter valued at $278,000. 48.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diana Shipping Company Profile

Diana Shipping Inc is a global shipping company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and headquartered in Athens, Greece. The company specializes in the ownership and operation of dry bulk vessels that transport a variety of commodities, including coal, iron ore, grains, fertilizers, steel products and other bulk materials. Diana Shipping’s fleet comprises Panamax, Capesize, Newcastlemax and Supramax/Newcastlemax segments, enabling it to address the needs of customers on key global trade routes.

The company conducts its operations by chartering vessels on short‐term voyage charters and longer‐term period charters.