Short interest in Merck KGaA (OTCMKTS:MKKGY) experienced a dramatic increase of 234.9% in December 2023. As of December 15, the total short interest reached 241,637 shares, up from 72,150 shares on November 30. This surge indicates heightened investor sentiment regarding the stock, with approximately 0.0% of the company’s shares currently short sold.
The increase in short interest translates to a days-to-cover ratio of 0.9 days, based on an average daily trading volume of 280,839 shares. This ratio provides insight into how quickly investors could cover short positions if necessary.
In terms of stock performance, shares of Merck KGaA traded at $28.51 on Friday, December 15, reflecting a modest increase of $0.06 from the previous close. A total of 80,966 shares changed hands, which is lower than the company’s average volume of 114,320 shares.
Merck KGaA’s financial health is underscored by a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 0.97, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The company boasts a market capitalization of $18.42 billion and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.36. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated, reaching a low of $24.32 and a high of $31.80. The firm’s 50-day moving average stands at $27.00, while the 200-day moving average is $26.34.
Merck KGaA recently announced its quarterly earnings on November 13, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.81. This figure surpassed the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $0.27. The company achieved a net margin of 13.92% and a return on equity of 10.07%. Revenue for the quarter reached $6.17 billion, exceeding the anticipated $6.08 billion.
Looking ahead, sell-side analysts project that Merck KGaA will post an EPS of 1.87 for the current fiscal year, indicating a positive outlook for the firm.
Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, located in Darmstadt, Germany, is a prominent multinational science and technology company. It operates across various sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, and electronics. Notably, it is distinct from the U.S.-based pharmaceutical firm Merck & Co. The healthcare segment focuses on developing prescription medicines and services in areas such as oncology, immunology, neurology, and fertility.
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