The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,590,000 shares, a growth of 7.1% from the December 31st total of 8,020,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 4,570,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on EL shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $80.00 to $78.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Citigroup cut Estée Lauder Companies from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $80.00 in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $100.00 to $75.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $100.00 to $75.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $63.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Twenty equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Estée Lauder Companies currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $92.95.

Insider Transactions at Estée Lauder Companies

In other news, Director Paul J. Fribourg bought 77,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $64.01 per share, for a total transaction of $4,960,775.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 234,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $15,010,345. This represents a 49.36 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 12.78% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Estée Lauder Companies

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EL. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies in the third quarter worth about $31,000. Ameliora Wealth Management Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators increased its stake in shares of Estée Lauder Companies by 68.7% in the fourth quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 388 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Estée Lauder Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC boosted its position in Estée Lauder Companies by 297.0% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 401 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 55.15% of the company’s stock.

Estée Lauder Companies Stock Performance

EL traded down $14.38 on Tuesday, hitting $68.39. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 9,580,777 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,508,895. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $77.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $83.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. Estée Lauder Companies has a 12 month low of $62.29 and a 12 month high of $159.75. The firm has a market cap of $24.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 123.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.89 and a beta of 1.03.

Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.31. Estée Lauder Companies had a return on equity of 17.31% and a net margin of 1.31%. Analysts forecast that Estée Lauder Companies will post 1.5 EPS for the current year.

About Estée Lauder Companies

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools.