Simulations Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ:SLP) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Simulations Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ:SLP) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,340,000 shares, an increase of 24.1% from the July 15th total of 1,080,000 shares. Currently, 8.2% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 131,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10.2 days.

Simulations Plus Trading Up 1.6 %

SLP traded up $0.59 during trading on Thursday, hitting $36.48. 96,255 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 117,635. The company has a market cap of $729.89 million, a PE ratio of 76.00 and a beta of 0.72. Simulations Plus has a 1 year low of $32.69 and a 1 year high of $51.22. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $42.25 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $43.69.

Simulations Plus (NASDAQ:SLP) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 2nd. The technology company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.04. Simulations Plus had a return on equity of 7.80% and a net margin of 14.36%. The firm had revenue of $18.54 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $17.92 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.20 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Simulations Plus will post 0.52 EPS for the current year.

Simulations Plus Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 29th were given a dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 29th. Simulations Plus’s dividend payout ratio is currently 50.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Walter S. Woltosz sold 20,000 shares of Simulations Plus stock in a transaction on Monday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.71, for a total value of $934,200.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,540,857 shares in the company, valued at $165,393,430.47. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Walter S. Woltosz sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.71, for a total value of $934,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,540,857 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $165,393,430.47. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Daniel L. Weiner sold 750 shares of Simulations Plus stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.32, for a total value of $36,990.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,009 shares in the company, valued at $345,683.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 40,750 shares of company stock worth $1,763,790. 20.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Simulations Plus

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Simulations Plus during the first quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of Simulations Plus during the first quarter worth approximately $70,000. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Simulations Plus in the first quarter valued at approximately $204,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Simulations Plus in the second quarter worth approximately $206,000. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC purchased a new position in Simulations Plus during the 1st quarter worth $208,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.08% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on SLP shares. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on Simulations Plus from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 13th. KeyCorp began coverage on Simulations Plus in a research report on Monday, July 29th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $47.00 price objective on the stock. William Blair started coverage on shares of Simulations Plus in a research note on Friday, June 28th. They set an “outperform” rating on the stock. Craig Hallum reissued a “buy” rating and set a $56.00 price objective on shares of Simulations Plus in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, JMP Securities began coverage on shares of Simulations Plus in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. They issued a “market perform” rating on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $56.00.

About Simulations Plus

Simulations Plus, Inc develops drug discovery and development software for modeling and simulation, and prediction of molecular properties utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning based technology worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Software and Services. It offers GastroPlus, which simulates the absorption and drug interaction of compounds administered to humans and animals; and DDDPlus and MembranePlus simulation products.