Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (NYSE:SAND) Short Interest Up 47.8% in February

Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (NYSE:SAND) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 3,340,000 shares, a growth of 47.8% from the February 13th total of 2,260,000 shares. Currently, 1.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,930,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Sandstorm Gold Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of Sandstorm Gold stock traded up $0.11 during trading on Friday, reaching $6.55. 2,959,150 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,069,446. The company has a quick ratio of 2.29, a current ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. Sandstorm Gold has a twelve month low of $4.76 and a twelve month high of $6.67. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $6.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $5.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 130.93 and a beta of 1.06.

Sandstorm Gold (NYSE:SAND) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 18th. The company reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.03). Sandstorm Gold had a return on equity of 0.98% and a net margin of 8.11%. The company had revenue of $47.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $67.49 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($0.04) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Sandstorm Gold will post 0.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sandstorm Gold Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 21st were paid a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 21st. This is a boost from Sandstorm Gold’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.22%. Sandstorm Gold’s payout ratio is 100.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sprott Inc. grew its stake in Sandstorm Gold by 77.9% in the fourth quarter. Sprott Inc. now owns 4,465,843 shares of the company’s stock valued at $24,925,000 after acquiring an additional 1,955,916 shares during the period. Barclays PLC grew its stake in Sandstorm Gold by 6.4% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 399,854 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,400,000 after acquiring an additional 23,947 shares during the period. FMR LLC acquired a new position in Sandstorm Gold in the third quarter valued at about $600,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Sandstorm Gold by 7.5% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 125,681 shares of the company’s stock worth $757,000 after buying an additional 8,728 shares during the period. Finally, Louisbourg Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Sandstorm Gold by 17.4% during the fourth quarter. Louisbourg Investments Inc. now owns 728,182 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,071,000 after buying an additional 108,000 shares in the last quarter. 51.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on SAND shares. StockNews.com raised Sandstorm Gold from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. HC Wainwright decreased their price objective on Sandstorm Gold from $12.00 to $11.50 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Sandstorm Gold from $6.75 to $7.25 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $8.56.

About Sandstorm Gold

Sandstorm Gold Ltd. operates as a gold royalty company. The company focuses on acquiring royalties and gold and other metals purchase agreements from companies that have advanced stage operating mines. It offers upfront payments for companies to acquire a stream and receives the right to purchase a percentage of a mine's production for the life of the mine.