Federal Signal Co. (NYSE:FSS) Short Interest Up 22.8% in March

Federal Signal Co. (NYSE:FSS) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,200,000 shares, an increase of 22.8% from the February 28th total of 3,420,000 shares. Approximately 7.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 498,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 8.4 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Jennifer L. Sherman bought 1,250 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $82.32 per share, for a total transaction of $102,900.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 559,183 shares in the company, valued at $46,031,944.56. This trade represents a 0.22 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 3.30% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Federal Signal

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in Federal Signal by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 56,789 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $5,308,000 after purchasing an additional 2,969 shares in the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA lifted its position in shares of Federal Signal by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 8,321 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $778,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in Federal Signal by 17.6% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 152,430 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $14,246,000 after purchasing an additional 22,821 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in Federal Signal by 14.9% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 14,070 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $1,315,000 after purchasing an additional 1,829 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in Federal Signal during the 3rd quarter valued at $495,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.73% of the company’s stock.

Federal Signal Price Performance

FSS traded down $2.88 on Thursday, reaching $74.19. The company had a trading volume of 213,844 shares, compared to its average volume of 523,742. The company has a market capitalization of $4.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.50, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a fifty day moving average of $87.42 and a 200-day moving average of $90.71. Federal Signal has a one year low of $72.40 and a one year high of $102.18.

Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The conglomerate reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.87. Federal Signal had a return on equity of 18.46% and a net margin of 11.57%. The firm had revenue of $472.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $481.90 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Federal Signal will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Federal Signal Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a dividend of $0.14 per share. This is a positive change from Federal Signal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.75%. Federal Signal’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.95%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FSS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Raymond James reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $110.00 target price on shares of Federal Signal in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. StockNews.com cut Federal Signal from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 1st.

About Federal Signal

Federal Signal Corp. engages in the design and manufacture of products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial, and commercial customers. It operates through the Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group segments. The Environment Solutions Group segment is involved in the manufacture and supply of street sweeper vehicles, sewer cleaners, vacuum loader trucks, hydro-excavation trucks, and water blasting equipment.