Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ:WHLR) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ:WHLR) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 566,046 shares, an increase of 584.6% from the August 15th total of 82,688 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 5,116,596 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 152.6% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Insider Transactions at Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust

In other news, major shareholder Financial Lp Hrt sold 3,329 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.80, for a total transaction of $32,624.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 4,769 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $46,736.20. This trade represents a 41.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last ninety days, insiders have purchased 24,547 shares of company stock valued at $84,765. Corporate insiders own 51.93% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust during the fourth quarter worth $62,000. HRT Financial LP bought a new position in Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust in the second quarter valued at $80,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 35.28% of the company’s stock.

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust Price Performance

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust stock opened at $0.37 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $3.89 and its 200 day moving average is $458.69. The firm has a market cap of $287,364.00, a P/E ratio of -0.00 and a beta of 1.05. Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust has a one year low of $0.33 and a one year high of $18,648.00.

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust (NASDAQ:WHLR) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $34.98 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $22.48 million for the quarter. Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust had a negative return on equity of 186.97% and a net margin of 14.99%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on WHLR. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, July 4th. Weiss Ratings raised Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust from a “sell (d-)” rating to a “sell (d)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Sell”.

About Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of single-tenant, operationally essential real estate in the United States. The company targets free-standing properties leased to creditworthy tenants under long-term net leases, providing predictable income streams and capital preservation. Its portfolio spans a broad range of retail, service and light industrial properties, with an emphasis on assets where tenants are responsible for property taxes, insurance and maintenance.

The trust’s assets are primarily concentrated in consumer-oriented businesses such as discount retailers, quick-service restaurants and healthcare services, among others.