Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR) Short Interest Up 18.7% in February

Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 5,576,445 shares, a growth of 18.7% from the February 12th total of 4,698,707 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,122,556 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days. Currently, 5.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 5.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,122,556 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Builders FirstSource Stock Performance

Shares of BLDR traded down $3.32 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $87.36. The stock had a trading volume of 1,368,440 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,383,598. Builders FirstSource has a 52 week low of $86.18 and a 52 week high of $151.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.86 and a quick ratio of 1.16. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $112.05 and a 200-day moving average price of $115.18. The firm has a market cap of $9.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.51, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.56.

Builders FirstSource (NYSE:BLDR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The company reported $1.12 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.18). Builders FirstSource had a return on equity of 17.89% and a net margin of 2.87%.The firm had revenue of $3.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.46 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.31 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Builders FirstSource will post 11.59 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on BLDR shares. Barclays reduced their price objective on Builders FirstSource from $136.00 to $124.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Builders FirstSource from $112.00 to $110.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Builders FirstSource from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $119.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Builders FirstSource from $123.00 to $120.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Benchmark decreased their price objective on shares of Builders FirstSource from $142.00 to $138.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 20th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Builders FirstSource presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $126.65.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Paul S. Levy purchased 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 13th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $87.73 per share, with a total value of $4,386,500.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 1,727,191 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $151,526,466.43. This represents a 2.98% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.80% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Builders FirstSource

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of BLDR. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Builders FirstSource by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 17,630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,057,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. VestGen Advisors LLC lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 4.6% in the second quarter. VestGen Advisors LLC now owns 1,943 shares of the company’s stock worth $227,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 2.7% in the third quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,680 shares of the company’s stock worth $446,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Builders FirstSource by 25.0% during the third quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. now owns 500 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board boosted its stake in Builders FirstSource by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 5,100 shares of the company’s stock worth $525,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.53% of the company’s stock.

About Builders FirstSource

Builders FirstSource, Inc is a leading supplier of structural and value-added building products and services to professional contractors, homebuilders and remodelers. The company provides a comprehensive range of materials and prefabricated components that support all phases of residential construction, from site development and framing to finishing and installation.

The company’s core offerings include lumber and lumber sheet goods, windows and doors, millwork, roofing and siding, and engineered wood products such as roof and floor trusses.