Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) Short Interest Update

Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 50,239,989 shares, a decline of 13.6% from the January 15th total of 58,126,894 shares. Approximately 10.7% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 14,523,420 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 14,523,420 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days. Approximately 10.7% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Josh R. Marion sold 19,656 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.37, for a total value of $26,928.72. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 197,409 shares in the company, valued at approximately $270,450.33. This trade represents a 9.06% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Andrew G. Inglis sold 103,554 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.37, for a total value of $141,868.98. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 4,271,645 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,852,153.65. The trade was a 2.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 272,844 shares of company stock worth $377,592 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 2.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Kosmos Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Kosmos Energy by 14.3% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 33,411,046 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $57,467,000 after acquiring an additional 4,175,537 shares in the last quarter. Equinox Partners Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Kosmos Energy by 9.5% during the fourth quarter. Equinox Partners Investment Management LLC now owns 19,469,980 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $17,667,000 after purchasing an additional 1,689,500 shares during the period. Patient Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kosmos Energy by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Patient Capital Management LLC now owns 19,339,717 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $33,264,000 after purchasing an additional 1,334,930 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Kosmos Energy by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,320,597 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $23,772,000 after purchasing an additional 286,593 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Kosmos Energy by 19.5% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,045,593 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $10,930,000 after purchasing an additional 1,962,936 shares during the period. 95.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kosmos Energy Stock Up 6.6%

Shares of Kosmos Energy stock traded up $0.11 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $1.69. 14,514,219 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 19,042,764. The firm has a market capitalization of $805.99 million, a PE ratio of -2.48 and a beta of 0.90. Kosmos Energy has a 1-year low of $0.84 and a 1-year high of $3.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $1.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.29.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Kosmos Energy in a report on Monday, December 29th. Clarkson Capital began coverage on shares of Kosmos Energy in a research report on Friday, October 24th. They set a “buy” rating and a $4.00 price objective for the company. Mizuho reduced their target price on Kosmos Energy from $2.00 to $1.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 12th. Johnson Rice lowered shares of Kosmos Energy from a “buy” rating to an “accumulate” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $4.50 to $3.50 in a report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their target price on Kosmos Energy from $1.70 to $0.80 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $2.08.

About Kosmos Energy

Kosmos Energy Ltd. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Since its founding in 2003, the company has focused on identifying and developing hydrocarbon reserves in frontier and emerging basins around the world. Kosmos combines geological and geophysical expertise with a disciplined approach to acreage acquisition and partner selection to pursue high‐impact offshore exploration opportunities.

The company’s portfolio is anchored by assets in West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.