Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,390,000 shares, an increase of 47.4% from the November 15th total of 2,300,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,280,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xylem

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Swedbank AB boosted its position in shares of Xylem by 22.8% in the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,991,583 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $403,953,000 after purchasing an additional 554,609 shares during the period. Erste Asset Management GmbH acquired a new position in Xylem in the third quarter valued at $68,593,000. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in Xylem during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $52,169,000. Champlain Investment Partners LLC lifted its position in Xylem by 17.8% during the 3rd quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,657,785 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $223,851,000 after acquiring an additional 249,975 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Xylem by 246.6% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 324,504 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $44,012,000 after purchasing an additional 230,878 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.96% of the company’s stock.

Xylem Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE XYL traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $120.81. The company had a trading volume of 838,457 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,239,044. Xylem has a 1-year low of $109.38 and a 1-year high of $146.08. The company has a market capitalization of $29.35 billion, a PE ratio of 35.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.96 and a quick ratio of 1.42. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $127.98 and its 200 day simple moving average is $132.67.

Xylem (NYSE:XYL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.11. The company had revenue of $2.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.17 billion. Xylem had a return on equity of 9.61% and a net margin of 9.85%. Xylem’s quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.99 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Xylem will post 4.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Xylem Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 26th will be paid a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 26th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.19%. Xylem’s dividend payout ratio is presently 42.11%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on XYL. TD Cowen decreased their price target on Xylem from $138.00 to $125.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Xylem from $175.00 to $154.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Wolfe Research reiterated a “peer perform” rating on shares of Xylem in a research report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Xylem from $163.00 to $162.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Xylem from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $135.00 to $148.00 in a research report on Monday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $149.91.

Xylem Company Profile

Xylem Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and servicing of engineered products and solutions worldwide. It operates through four segments: Water Infrastructure, Applied Water, Measurement & Control Solutions, and Integrated Solutions and Services. The Water Infrastructure segment offers products, including water, storm water, and wastewater pumps; controls and systems; filtration, disinfection, and biological treatment equipment; and mobile dewatering equipment and rental services under the ADI, Flygt, Godwin, Sanitaire, Magneto, Neptune Benson, Ionpure, Leopold, Wedeco, and Xylem Vue brands.