Short Interest in Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE:LXFR) Increases By 99.3%

Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE:LXFR) was the target of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 697,107 shares, an increase of 99.3% from the February 26th total of 349,787 shares. Currently, 2.6% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 252,366 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.8 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on LXFR. Zacks Research lowered shares of Luxfer from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Luxfer in a research report on Monday. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Luxfer from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

Luxfer Stock Down 1.4%

LXFR stock traded down $0.17 on Friday, hitting $12.18. 138,824 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 367,510. Luxfer has a 12-month low of $9.41 and a 12-month high of $16.02. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $13.94 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $13.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.67. The stock has a market cap of $324.56 million, a P/E ratio of 42.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.01.

Luxfer Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 23rd. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. Luxfer’s payout ratio is presently 179.31%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Luxfer

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LXFR. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new position in shares of Luxfer during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Luxfer during the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. LSV Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Luxfer during the 4th quarter valued at about $85,000. Nano Cap New Millennium Growth Fund L P acquired a new position in shares of Luxfer in the 4th quarter valued at about $101,000. Finally, Diversified Trust Co. acquired a new position in shares of Luxfer in the 4th quarter valued at about $139,000. 90.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Luxfer

Luxfer Gas Cylinders, trading as Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR), is a global manufacturer specializing in high-performance, lightweight gas cylinders. The company produces both aluminium and composite cylinders designed to store and transport high-pressure gases for industrial, medical, diving, firefighting and defense applications. Its portfolio includes seamless aluminium cylinders, wrapped composite cylinders and pressure vessel components tailored to meet stringent safety and performance standards.

Founded on more than a century of materials expertise originating from the Luxfer Graphic Magnesium Company established in 1898, Luxfer has evolved into a leader in cylinder innovation.