Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATR) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATR) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 194,850 shares, a growth of 21.7% from the January 15th total of 160,148 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 120,691 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.6 days. Currently, 1.2% of the company’s shares are sold short. Currently, 1.2% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 120,691 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.6 days.

Nature’s Sunshine Products Stock Performance

NASDAQ NATR opened at $26.91 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $470.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.22 and a beta of 0.95. Nature’s Sunshine Products has a 52 week low of $11.01 and a 52 week high of $27.05. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $23.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.15.

Insider Activity at Nature’s Sunshine Products

In other Nature’s Sunshine Products news, EVP Bryant J. Yates sold 1,700 shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.29, for a total transaction of $37,893.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 98,604 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,197,883.16. The trade was a 1.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 5.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Nature’s Sunshine Products

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its position in Nature’s Sunshine Products by 17.9% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 558,169 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,241,000 after acquiring an additional 84,636 shares in the last quarter. AWM Investment Company Inc. acquired a new stake in Nature’s Sunshine Products in the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,176,000. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Nature’s Sunshine Products during the third quarter worth about $843,000. Aristides Capital LLC acquired a new position in Nature’s Sunshine Products during the second quarter worth approximately $370,000. Finally, Kennedy Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Nature’s Sunshine Products by 37.2% in the second quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 589,636 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,721,000 after buying an additional 160,002 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NATR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. DA Davidson raised their price target on Nature’s Sunshine Products from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Nature’s Sunshine Products has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $22.50.

About Nature’s Sunshine Products

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc is a global manufacturer and direct seller of nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, and personal care products. The company’s core business centers on research, development and distribution of vitamins, minerals, botanicals and essential oil-based formulations designed to support overall health and wellness. Operating under a network-marketing model, Nature’s Sunshine works through a network of independent distributors who promote and sell its product line directly to consumers.

The company’s product portfolio spans dietary supplements such as single-ingredient vitamins, proprietary herbal blends, sports nutrition formulas and weight-management solutions, along with skin and hair care items based on botanical extracts and essential oils.