The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) Short Interest Update

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,160,000 shares, an increase of 9.2% from the June 15th total of 5,640,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,830,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.2 days.

Insider Activity at Estée Lauder Companies

In related news, CFO Tracey Thomas Travis sold 14,493 shares of Estée Lauder Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.73, for a total value of $1,967,134.89. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 47,248 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,412,971.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CFO Tracey Thomas Travis sold 14,493 shares of Estée Lauder Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.73, for a total value of $1,967,134.89. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 47,248 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,412,971.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Jane Lauder sold 14,976 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.26, for a total value of $1,815,989.76. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 57,389 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,958,990.14. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 42,255 shares of company stock valued at $5,453,232. 12.77% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Estée Lauder Companies

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EL. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in Estée Lauder Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Estée Lauder Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Estée Lauder Companies by 103.1% in the first quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 195 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares during the period. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Estée Lauder Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Chilton Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies by 163.0% during the first quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 263 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.15% of the company’s stock.

Estée Lauder Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EL traded up $0.61 during trading on Thursday, reaching $101.29. 376,610 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,795,455. Estée Lauder Companies has a 52 week low of $99.80 and a 52 week high of $191.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.32 billion, a PE ratio of 56.56, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.99. The company’s 50 day moving average is $117.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $133.47.

Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $0.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.49. Estée Lauder Companies had a return on equity of 13.08% and a net margin of 4.18%. The company had revenue of $3.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.92 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.47 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Estée Lauder Companies will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Estée Lauder Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 17th. Investors of record on Friday, May 31st were paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 31st. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.61%. Estée Lauder Companies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 148.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EL has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Estée Lauder Companies from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Bernstein Bank boosted their price target on Estée Lauder Companies from $155.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 1st. Bank of America reduced their target price on Estée Lauder Companies from $170.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Estée Lauder Companies from $175.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on Estée Lauder Companies from $140.00 to $136.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, June 14th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Estée Lauder Companies has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $150.42.

Estée Lauder Companies Company Profile

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools.