Energy Services of America Co. (NASDAQ:ESOA) Short Interest Up 33.1% in November

Energy Services of America Co. (NASDAQ:ESOA) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 353,300 shares, a growth of 33.1% from the November 15th total of 265,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 163,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days. Currently, 3.1% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jack M. Reynolds sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.30, for a total value of $257,500.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 408,385 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,206,365.50. This trade represents a 5.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Samuel G. Kapourales sold 50,000 shares of Energy Services of America stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.10, for a total value of $505,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 714,191 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,213,329.10. This trade represents a 6.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 44.68% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Energy Services of America by 7.7% during the third quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 65,547 shares of the company’s stock worth $623,000 after purchasing an additional 4,669 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Energy Services of America by 16.4% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 35,529 shares of the company’s stock valued at $338,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC grew its stake in Energy Services of America by 35.4% during the 3rd quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 21,110 shares of the company’s stock worth $201,000 after buying an additional 5,516 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in Energy Services of America by 12.8% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 203,892 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,460,000 after buying an additional 23,192 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Energy Services of America by 20.7% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 178,625 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,279,000 after buying an additional 30,694 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

Energy Services of America Price Performance

Shares of Energy Services of America stock traded up $0.36 during trading on Friday, hitting $15.99. 228,378 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 160,253. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $12.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.88. Energy Services of America has a 12-month low of $3.46 and a 12-month high of $16.97.

Energy Services of America Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be given a dividend of $0.03 per share. This is a boost from Energy Services of America’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. This represents a $0.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 13th. Energy Services of America’s dividend payout ratio is currently 16.39%.

About Energy Services of America

Energy Services of America Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides contracting services for utilities and energy related companies in the United States. The company constructs, replaces, and repairs interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities for utility companies and private natural gas companies; and provides services relating to pipeline, storage facilities, and plant works.