Merck KGaA (OTCMKTS:MKKGY) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Merck KGaA (OTCMKTS:MKKGY) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,771 shares, a decline of 80.2% from the August 15th total of 8,948 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 98,007 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Merck KGaA Stock Performance

Shares of MKKGY traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $30.46. 51,395 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 45,804. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $32.15 and its 200 day simple moving average is $29.58. The company has a market cap of $19.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.70, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.96. Merck KGaA has a twelve month low of $23.73 and a twelve month high of $34.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MKKGY has been the subject of several research reports. Zacks Research downgraded Merck KGaA from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Merck KGaA in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock. UBS Group cut shares of Merck KGaA from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Finally, HSBC raised shares of Merck KGaA to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Merck KGaA Company Profile

Merck KGaA is a Germany-based science and technology company headquartered in Darmstadt. Founded in 1668, it is one of the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical businesses. Merck KGaA operates independently from the U.S.-based Merck & Co, Inc, which uses the name MSD in markets outside the United States and Canada.

The company operates through three primary business sectors: Life Science, Healthcare and Electronics. Its Life Science business supplies laboratory products, research tools, bioprocessing equipment and services used by academic institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other industrial customers.