Lesaka Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:LSAK) Short Interest Update

Lesaka Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:LSAK) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 189,844 shares, an increase of 44.7% from the January 15th total of 131,230 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 68,242 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.8 days. Based on an average trading volume of 68,242 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.8 days. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Lesaka Technologies from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Lesaka Technologies in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Lesaka Technologies to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

Lesaka Technologies Stock Performance

NASDAQ LSAK opened at $4.41 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $4.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.37. Lesaka Technologies has a 52-week low of $3.39 and a 52-week high of $5.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $370.09 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.00 and a beta of 0.47.

Lesaka Technologies (NASDAQ:LSAK) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.04 by $0.04. Lesaka Technologies had a negative net margin of 7.87% and a negative return on equity of 28.23%. The business had revenue of $93.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $166.00 million. Lesaka Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.260-0.260 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Lesaka Technologies will post -0.16 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Ali Mazanderani purchased 1,800,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 31st. The shares were bought at an average price of $5.00 per share, for a total transaction of $9,000,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chairman directly owned 2,325,115 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,625,575. This trade represents a 342.78% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel Luke Smith acquired 11,503 shares of Lesaka Technologies stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $4.40 per share, with a total value of $50,613.20. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer directly owned 23,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $103,400. The trade was a 95.88% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders purchased a total of 1,830,500 shares of company stock worth $9,130,204 over the last three months. 3.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new stake in Lesaka Technologies during the third quarter worth $74,000. Citadel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Lesaka Technologies by 26.4% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 18,977 shares of the company’s stock worth $79,000 after acquiring an additional 3,959 shares during the period. Schwarz Dygos Wheeler Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lesaka Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $595,000. Barclays PLC increased its stake in Lesaka Technologies by 13,359.8% in the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 141,866 shares of the company’s stock valued at $677,000 after acquiring an additional 140,812 shares during the period. Finally, Potomac Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Lesaka Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at about $4,766,000. 24.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Lesaka Technologies

Lesaka Technologies, Inc operates as a Fintech company that utilizes its proprietary banking and payment technologies to deliver financial services solutions to merchants (B2B) and consumers (B2C) in Southern Africa. It offers cash management solutions, growth capital, card acquiring, bill payment technologies, and value-added services to formal and informal retail merchants, as well as banking, lending, and insurance solutions to consumers across Southern Africa. The company also engages in the sale of POS devices, SIM cards, and other consumables; and license of rights to use certain technology developed by the company, as well as offers related technology services.