Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 3,980,069 shares, an increase of 48.5% from the January 29th total of 2,680,583 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,040,990 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days. Approximately 4.7% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 4.7% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,040,990 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider James Winston King sold 1,860 shares of Guidewire Software stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total transaction of $362,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 33,702 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,571,890. The trade was a 5.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Jeffrey Elliott Cooper sold 216 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.87, for a total value of $39,067.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 72,753 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,158,835.11. This represents a 0.30% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 42,760 shares of company stock worth $7,978,508. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Guidewire Software

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Guidewire Software during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Guidewire Software in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in Guidewire Software in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Guidewire Software during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Guidewire Software during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GWRE has been the subject of several research reports. DA Davidson raised Guidewire Software from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $246.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Guidewire Software from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Citizens Jmp reiterated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $281.00 target price on shares of Guidewire Software in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on shares of Guidewire Software from $300.00 to $250.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, BTIG Research reduced their price objective on Guidewire Software from $225.00 to $175.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Guidewire Software presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $255.92.

Guidewire Software Trading Up 2.6%

NYSE:GWRE traded up $3.77 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $149.09. The company had a trading volume of 2,442,968 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,854,889. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $158.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $202.28. The company has a market capitalization of $12.68 billion, a PE ratio of 141.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 9.37 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 3.48 and a quick ratio of 3.48. Guidewire Software has a 52 week low of $120.37 and a 52 week high of $272.60.

Guidewire Software (NYSE:GWRE) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The technology company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.66. The company had revenue of $332.64 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $316.62 million. Guidewire Software had a return on equity of 10.15% and a net margin of 7.23%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 26.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.43 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Guidewire Software will post 0.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Guidewire Software declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, January 8th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to buy up to 3.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Guidewire Software Company Profile

Guidewire Software, Inc develops software products and cloud services for property and casualty (P&C) insurance carriers. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company’s offerings are designed to help insurers manage the core functions of their business—policy administration, billing and claims—while supporting digital engagement, analytics and operational modernization.

Guidewire’s core product portfolio is commonly known as the InsuranceSuite, which includes PolicyCenter for policy administration, BillingCenter for billing and receivables, and ClaimCenter for claims management.