Short Interest in Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU) Drops By 6.0%

Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 560,500 shares, a decline of 6.0% from the December 15th total of 596,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 375,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days.

Central Puerto Price Performance

Shares of Central Puerto stock traded down $0.40 during trading on Friday, hitting $13.27. 637,418 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 359,719. Central Puerto has a twelve month low of $7.07 and a twelve month high of $16.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.97. The company has a market cap of $2.01 billion, a PE ratio of 5.20 and a beta of 1.21. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $14.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.21.

Central Puerto (NYSE:CEPU) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 11th. The company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.39 by ($0.19). The firm had revenue of $185.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $200.26 million. Central Puerto had a net margin of 56.44% and a return on equity of 22.76%. Analysts forecast that Central Puerto will post 0.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Central Puerto Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a — dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 29th were given a dividend of $0.3954 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.4%. This is a positive change from Central Puerto’s previous — dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 29th. Central Puerto’s dividend payout ratio is presently 14.90%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CEPU. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Central Puerto during the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Central Puerto by 62.4% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,694 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 1,420 shares during the period. Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new position in Central Puerto in the third quarter valued at approximately $121,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in Central Puerto during the 3rd quarter worth $122,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Central Puerto during the 3rd quarter valued at $157,000. Institutional investors own 2.97% of the company’s stock.

Central Puerto Company Profile

Central Puerto SA engages in the electric power generation in Argentina. It operates through three segments: Electric Power Generation from Conventional Sources, Electric Power Generation from Renewable Sources, and Natural Gas Transport and Distribution. The company generates energy through thermal, hydroelectric, and wind farms.