Orange S.A. (NYSE:ORAN) Short Interest Down 16.8% in July

Orange S.A. (NYSE:ORAN) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 873,600 shares, a decline of 16.8% from the June 30th total of 1,050,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 645,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Orange Price Performance

Orange stock traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $11.17. 296,477 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 491,659. Orange has a 52 week low of $9.82 and a 52 week high of $12.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.83. The company’s fifty day moving average is $10.80 and its 200-day moving average is $11.30.

Orange Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 3rd were issued a $0.4523 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 3rd. This represents a dividend yield of 5.1%. This is a boost from Orange’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.32.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Orange in a research report on Wednesday, April 17th. They set an “overweight” rating for the company. New Street Research raised Orange to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on Orange in a research note on Friday, May 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised Orange from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $13.08.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Orange

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in Orange in the 1st quarter worth approximately $39,000. CWM LLC grew its position in Orange by 53.1% in the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,586 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,244 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Orange by 118.2% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,662 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 1,984 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Orange in the second quarter valued at $60,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Orange during the fourth quarter valued at about $76,000.

About Orange

Orange SA provides various fixed telephony and mobile telecommunications, data transmission, and other value-added services to customers, businesses, and other telecommunications operators in France and internationally. The company operates through France; Spain and Other European Countries; The Africa and Middle East; Enterprise; Orange business; Totem; International Carriers & Shared Services; and Mobile Financial Services segments.