Comcast Co. (NASDAQ:CMCSA) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Comcast Co. (NASDAQ:CMCSA) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 57,790,000 shares, a growth of 13.6% from the September 30th total of 50,870,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 17,400,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.3 days. Approximately 1.5% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Comcast Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ CMCSA traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $42.24. 27,522,865 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,581,463. Comcast has a 52 week low of $36.43 and a 52 week high of $47.11. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $40.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $39.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $165.73 billion, a PE ratio of 11.14, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on CMCSA shares. KeyCorp reduced their target price on shares of Comcast from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. StockNews.com cut shares of Comcast from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. Barclays cut their price target on Comcast from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Pivotal Research decreased their price objective on Comcast from $48.00 to $47.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on Comcast from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $45.58.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Comcast

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital World Investors raised its position in Comcast by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 115,703,280 shares of the cable giant’s stock worth $5,015,737,000 after purchasing an additional 7,929,963 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Comcast by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 38,329,384 shares of the cable giant’s stock valued at $1,500,722,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000,626 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in Comcast by 41.7% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 28,016,389 shares of the cable giant’s stock worth $1,214,512,000 after acquiring an additional 8,243,302 shares during the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board increased its stake in Comcast by 25,881.7% in the 1st quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 10,850,995 shares of the cable giant’s stock worth $470,391,000 after purchasing an additional 10,809,231 shares during the period. Finally, First Pacific Advisors LP lifted its position in Comcast by 2.1% in the second quarter. First Pacific Advisors LP now owns 10,818,009 shares of the cable giant’s stock valued at $423,633,000 after purchasing an additional 219,894 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.32% of the company’s stock.

Comcast Company Profile

Comcast Corporation operates as a media and technology company worldwide. It operates through Residential Connectivity & Platforms, Business Services Connectivity, Media, Studios, and Theme Parks segments. The Residential Connectivity & Platforms segment provides residential broadband and wireless connectivity services, residential and business video services, sky-branded entertainment television networks, and advertising.