Short Interest in United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (NASDAQ:USLM) Grows By 38.7%

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (NASDAQ:USLM) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 498,900 shares, a growth of 38.7% from the January 31st total of 359,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 126,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.9 days.

United States Lime & Minerals Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of USLM stock traded up $0.71 on Wednesday, hitting $90.75. The stock had a trading volume of 38,799 shares, compared to its average volume of 127,251. United States Lime & Minerals has a twelve month low of $54.21 and a twelve month high of $159.53. The firm has a market cap of $2.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.82 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $113.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $112.57.

United States Lime & Minerals (NASDAQ:USLM) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 3rd. The construction company reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. United States Lime & Minerals had a net margin of 34.27% and a return on equity of 24.55%.

United States Lime & Minerals Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from United States Lime & Minerals’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.26%. United States Lime & Minerals’s dividend payout ratio is presently 6.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of United States Lime & Minerals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday.

Insider Buying and Selling at United States Lime & Minerals

In other United States Lime & Minerals news, Director Sandra C. Duhe sold 3,157 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.61, for a total transaction of $298,683.77. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 2,128 shares in the company, valued at approximately $201,330.08. The trade was a 59.74 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.16% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Lime & Minerals

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new position in United States Lime & Minerals in the 4th quarter worth $520,000. Pinnacle Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in United States Lime & Minerals in the 4th quarter worth $2,021,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in United States Lime & Minerals by 34.2% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 18,030 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $2,393,000 after purchasing an additional 4,592 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new stake in United States Lime & Minerals during the 4th quarter worth about $334,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in United States Lime & Minerals during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. 27.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United States Lime & Minerals Company Profile

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of lime and limestone products. Its products include High Calcium Quicklime, Hydrated Lime, Lime Kiln Dust, Lime Slurry, and High Calcium Limestone. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.