Short Interest in Limoneira (NASDAQ:LMNR) Increases By 10.9%

Limoneira (NASDAQ:LMNR) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 471,800 shares, an increase of 10.9% from the April 15th total of 425,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 41,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 11.3 days. Approximately 3.1% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Trading of Limoneira

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in LMNR. Bfsg LLC acquired a new stake in Limoneira during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in Limoneira in the 3rd quarter valued at $64,000. Covestor Ltd grew its position in Limoneira by 48.9% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 5,764 shares of the company’s stock valued at $113,000 after acquiring an additional 1,893 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Limoneira during the third quarter worth $117,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in shares of Limoneira by 60.8% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 8,461 shares of the company’s stock valued at $165,000 after acquiring an additional 3,199 shares during the period. 64.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Limoneira from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, April 27th. TheStreet lowered Limoneira from a “b-” rating to a “c+” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th.

Limoneira Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:LMNR traded down $0.16 on Thursday, hitting $21.10. 6,691 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 41,535. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $19.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $18.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $379.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -36.66, a PEG ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.92. Limoneira has a one year low of $13.88 and a one year high of $22.00.

Limoneira (NASDAQ:LMNR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported ($0.23) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.28) by $0.05. The company had revenue of $39.73 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.07 million. Limoneira had a negative return on equity of 1.16% and a negative net margin of 5.40%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.53) EPS. Research analysts expect that Limoneira will post 0.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Limoneira Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 1st were issued a dividend of $0.075 per share. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 28th. Limoneira’s payout ratio is -51.72%.

Limoneira Company Profile

Limoneira Company operates as an agribusiness and real estate development company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three divisions: Agribusiness, Rental Operations, and Real Estate Development. It grows, processes, packs, markets, and sells lemons. The company also grows avocado, oranges, and specialty citrus and other crops, including Moro blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges, Valencia oranges, Minneola tangelos, Star Ruby grapefruit, pummelos, and wine grapes.