Short Interest in Intercorp Financial Services Inc. (NYSE:IFS) Expands By 79.9%

Intercorp Financial Services Inc. (NYSE:IFS) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totaling 431,165 shares, a growth of 79.9% from the April 30th total of 239,651 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 220,732 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Intercorp Financial Services Trading Down 2.4%

IFS stock opened at $49.23 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.47 billion, a PE ratio of 9.20, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 0.80. Intercorp Financial Services has a 12 month low of $34.68 and a 12 month high of $53.00. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $47.93 and its 200 day moving average is $46.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.08.

Intercorp Financial Services (NYSE:IFS) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 31st. The company reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $508.76 million for the quarter. Intercorp Financial Services had a net margin of 30.53% and a return on equity of 17.49%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Intercorp Financial Services will post 5.82 EPS for the current year.

Intercorp Financial Services Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 24th were paid a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a yield of 401.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 24th. This is a positive change from Intercorp Financial Services’s previous annual dividend of $1.00. Intercorp Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.96%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

IFS has been the topic of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Intercorp Financial Services from $48.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Intercorp Financial Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 16th. Zacks Research raised shares of Intercorp Financial Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 12th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Intercorp Financial Services in a research note on Friday, May 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $56.00.

Institutional Trading of Intercorp Financial Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its stake in Intercorp Financial Services by 106.4% during the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 745 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 384 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. acquired a new stake in Intercorp Financial Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $94,000. DGS Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Intercorp Financial Services during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $213,000. Centiva Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Intercorp Financial Services during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $216,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of Intercorp Financial Services by 43.1% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 5,308 shares of the company’s stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 1,599 shares during the period.

About Intercorp Financial Services

Intercorp Financial Services (NYSE:IFS) is a Lima-based financial holding company that brings together a suite of banking and non-banking financial businesses under the Intercorp Group umbrella. Through its network of subsidiaries, the company provides a broad range of products and services designed to meet the needs of individual consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations across Peru.

The company’s core banking operations are conducted through Interbank, which offers deposit accounts, personal and business loans, credit and debit cards, trade finance and electronic banking solutions.