Southern California Bancorp (NASDAQ:BCAL) Short Interest Up 6.5% in January

Southern California Bancorp (NASDAQ:BCAL) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 362,300 shares, an increase of 6.5% from the December 31st total of 340,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 69,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.2 days. Currently, 1.6% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Southern California Bancorp in the third quarter worth about $123,000. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Southern California Bancorp in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $160,000. Creekside Partners bought a new position in shares of Southern California Bancorp in the third quarter valued at approximately $190,000. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Southern California Bancorp during the third quarter valued at approximately $202,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Southern California Bancorp by 348.8% during the third quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 14,719 shares of the company’s stock worth $218,000 after purchasing an additional 11,439 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 55.40% of the company’s stock.

Southern California Bancorp Price Performance

Shares of BCAL opened at $15.95 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $513.11 million, a P/E ratio of 83.95 and a beta of 1.11. Southern California Bancorp has a 12 month low of $12.30 and a 12 month high of $18.49. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $16.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.50.

Southern California Bancorp (NASDAQ:BCAL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.08. Southern California Bancorp had a return on equity of 8.97% and a net margin of 2.94%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Southern California Bancorp will post 1.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, DA Davidson dropped their target price on Southern California Bancorp from $22.00 to $20.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 30th.

Southern California Bancorp Company Profile

Southern California Bancorp operates as the holding company for Bank of Southern California, N.A. that provides various financial products to individuals, professionals, and small-to medium-sized businesses. The company offers checking, personal and business savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.