Dillard’s, Inc. (NYSE:DDS) Short Interest Update

Dillard’s, Inc. (NYSE:DDS) saw a large increase in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,180,000 shares, an increase of 18.0% from the September 15th total of 1,000,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 157,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 7.5 days. Currently, 14.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Dillard’s Stock Performance

DDS stock traded up $9.17 on Wednesday, reaching $385.70. 116,827 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 116,864. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.26 billion, a PE ratio of 8.56 and a beta of 0.85. Dillard’s has a 12 month low of $286.39 and a 12 month high of $476.48. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $361.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $403.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 3.14 and a quick ratio of 1.62.

Dillard’s (NYSE:DDS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The company reported $4.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.97 by ($1.38). Dillard’s had a net margin of 9.94% and a return on equity of 34.29%. The firm had revenue of $1.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $7.98 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was down 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Dillard’s will post 31.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dillard’s Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 4th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. Dillard’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 2.27%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DDS has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com raised Dillard’s from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Telsey Advisory Group reduced their target price on shares of Dillard’s from $475.00 to $380.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Dillard’s from $202.00 to $194.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 16th.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Robert C. Connor purchased 100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $346.82 per share, with a total value of $34,682.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 78,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $27,051,960. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 33.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dillard’s

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Dillard’s by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 612 shares of the company’s stock valued at $289,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Dillard’s by 1.9% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,745 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,209,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Dillard’s in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its position in Dillard’s by 31.0% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 330 shares of the company’s stock worth $145,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in Dillard’s by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,867 shares of the company’s stock valued at $881,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. 67.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Dillard’s

Dillard's, Inc operates retail department stores in the southeastern, southwestern, and midwestern areas of the United States. The company's stores offer merchandise, including fashion apparel for women, men, and children; and accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings, and other consumer goods.