KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR) Short Interest Update

KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,690,000 shares, an increase of 51.2% from the February 28th total of 2,440,000 shares. Currently, 2.8% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,690,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.2 days.

Insider Transactions at KBR

In related news, insider Gregory Sean Conlon sold 19,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.59, for a total transaction of $961,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 63,533 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,214,134.47. This represents a 23.02 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.08% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hennessy Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in KBR in the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,022,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in KBR during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,131,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in KBR by 14.5% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,416,531 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $167,876,000 after purchasing an additional 305,889 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of KBR by 56.9% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,021 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $175,000 after buying an additional 1,095 shares during the period. Finally, Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of KBR during the fourth quarter worth $290,000. Institutional investors own 97.02% of the company’s stock.

KBR Stock Down 1.0 %

KBR stock traded down $0.53 on Monday, reaching $49.83. 1,238,642 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,277,104. The company has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $52.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $59.17. KBR has a one year low of $47.16 and a one year high of $72.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.07.

KBR (NYSE:KBR) last posted its earnings results on Monday, February 24th. The construction company reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2 billion. KBR had a net margin of 4.35% and a return on equity of 28.87%. Research analysts anticipate that KBR will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year.

KBR Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.165 per share. This is a boost from KBR’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.32%. KBR’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

KBR has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on KBR from $75.00 to $64.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Citigroup decreased their price target on KBR from $82.00 to $76.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of KBR from $72.00 to $64.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, KeyCorp lowered their price target on KBR from $70.00 to $67.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, KBR currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $75.88.

About KBR

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.