Afya Limited (NASDAQ:AFYA) Short Interest Update

Afya Limited (NASDAQ:AFYA) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,240,000 shares, an increase of 8.8% from the December 31st total of 1,140,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 119,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 10.4 days. Currently, 9.2% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Afya Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AFYA traded down $0.69 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $16.15. 140,092 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 80,731. Afya has a 52 week low of $14.52 and a 52 week high of $22.24. The firm has a market cap of $1.51 billion, a PE ratio of 13.02, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.89. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $15.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.60.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on AFYA shares. Citigroup reissued a “sell” rating and issued a $15.00 target price (down previously from $18.00) on shares of Afya in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Afya from $25.00 to $20.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Afya in a research report on Tuesday, December 3rd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $16.00 price target on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $18.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Afya

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Afya by 118.2% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 73,098 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,248,000 after buying an additional 39,592 shares during the period. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Afya in the third quarter worth about $842,000. Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in shares of Afya in the third quarter worth about $822,000. Millennium Management LLC grew its position in shares of Afya by 45.0% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 291,164 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,139,000 after purchasing an additional 90,383 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its stake in Afya by 136.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 35,254 shares of the company’s stock valued at $622,000 after purchasing an additional 20,370 shares during the period. 88.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Afya Company Profile

Afya Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a medical education group in Brazil. The company operates through three segments: Undergrad, Continuing Education, and Digital Services. It offers educational products and services, including medical schools, medical residency preparatory courses, graduate courses, and other programs to lifelong medical learners enrolled across its distribution network, as well as to third-party medical schools.