Equity Commonwealth (NYSE:EQC) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Equity Commonwealth (NYSE:EQC) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,010,000 shares, a growth of 298.0% from the November 30th total of 1,510,000 shares. Currently, 6.0% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,240,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.9 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Equity Commonwealth from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th.

Equity Commonwealth Stock Down 0.6 %

Equity Commonwealth stock traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $1.75. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 740,715 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,522,276. The stock has a market capitalization of $187.83 million, a P/E ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 0.27. Equity Commonwealth has a twelve month low of $1.40 and a twelve month high of $21.00. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $14.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.98.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Equity Commonwealth

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Equity Commonwealth during the third quarter worth approximately $2,112,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Equity Commonwealth by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,694,261 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $53,625,000 after buying an additional 21,146 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its position in Equity Commonwealth by 250.5% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 415,187 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $8,263,000 after buying an additional 296,742 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its stake in shares of Equity Commonwealth by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 249,768 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $4,970,000 after buying an additional 1,263 shares during the period. Finally, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Equity Commonwealth by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 133,100 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $2,649,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.00% of the company’s stock.

About Equity Commonwealth

Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) is a Chicago based, internally managed and self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) with commercial office properties in the United States. EQC's portfolio is comprised of four properties totaling 1.5 million square feet.