Short Interest in Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA) Declines By 40.4%

Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 183,200 shares, a decline of 40.4% from the January 31st total of 307,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 349,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Banco Macro Trading Up 4.0 %

NYSE BMA traded up $3.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $83.51. 455,502 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 372,636. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The stock has a market cap of $5.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.32 and a beta of 1.67. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $99.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $82.75. Banco Macro has a one year low of $38.00 and a one year high of $118.42.

Banco Macro (NYSE:BMA) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 27th. The bank reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.21 by ($0.70). Banco Macro had a net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 26.55%. On average, analysts anticipate that Banco Macro will post 7.84 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Morgan Stanley upgraded Banco Macro from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $12.50 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 16th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Banco Macro by 118.3% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 714 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 387 shares in the last quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Macro in the third quarter worth approximately $381,000. Sigma Planning Corp raised its position in shares of Banco Macro by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 6,275 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $398,000 after buying an additional 395 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in Banco Macro by 351.0% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 51,327 shares of the bank’s stock worth $3,259,000 after purchasing an additional 39,947 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Freedom Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Banco Macro in the third quarter worth approximately $573,000.

Banco Macro Company Profile

Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines, and money transfers.