Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) Short Interest Up 35.0% in January

Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 11,460,000 shares, a growth of 35.0% from the December 31st total of 8,490,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 11,350,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.0 days.

Barclays Stock Performance

Shares of BCS stock traded up $0.11 on Thursday, reaching $14.78. The stock had a trading volume of 502,502 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,837,393. Barclays has a 12 month low of $7.07 and a 12 month high of $14.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.02, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.41. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $13.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.63. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.67.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BCS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Barclays from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Barclays in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BCS. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Barclays in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Activest Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Barclays during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. bought a new stake in Barclays in the third quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in Barclays during the 4th quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Barclays by 32.4% in the 3rd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,624 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 1,132 shares during the period. 3.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Barclays

Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.