Smart Sand (NASDAQ:SND) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Smart Sand (NASDAQ:SND) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 294,052 shares, an increase of 36.2% from the January 15th total of 215,840 shares. Approximately 1.0% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 399,175 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 399,175 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Approximately 1.0% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SND. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. bought a new position in Smart Sand during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Smart Sand by 7.0% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 161,480 shares of the company’s stock valued at $418,000 after buying an additional 10,588 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in shares of Smart Sand by 348.8% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 81,013 shares of the company’s stock worth $210,000 after acquiring an additional 62,961 shares in the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Smart Sand by 7.4% during the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 276,039 shares of the company’s stock valued at $555,000 after buying an additional 19,117 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Smart Sand by 1.5% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 444,089 shares of the company’s stock valued at $893,000 after purchasing an additional 6,551 shares in the last quarter. 35.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Smart Sand in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Smart Sand from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Sunday, December 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Smart Sand Stock Up 8.7%

Shares of Smart Sand stock traded up $0.43 on Friday, reaching $5.36. 675,622 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 379,678. The company has a market capitalization of $233.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.56 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a 50-day moving average of $4.19 and a 200 day moving average of $2.91. Smart Sand has a one year low of $1.76 and a one year high of $5.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

Smart Sand (NASDAQ:SND) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.11. Smart Sand had a negative return on equity of 7.55% and a net margin of 1.16%.The company had revenue of $0.09 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $60.00 million. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Smart Sand will post 0.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Smart Sand Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 2nd.

Smart Sand Company Profile

Smart Sand, Inc (NASDAQ:SND) is a U.S.-based industrial mineral company specializing in the mining, processing and distribution of high-purity silica sand. The company’s primary business centers on the production of frac sand for the oil and gas industry, as well as specialty sand products for foundry, glass and construction applications. Through an integrated network of mines, processing plants and trans-load facilities, Smart Sand delivers precision-engineered sand solutions designed to meet stringent performance and purity requirements.

Smart Sand’s operations include flagship mining and processing facilities in Wisconsin, which supply Northern White silica sand, and production sites in Texas, strategically located to serve major U.S.