Short Interest in Bruker Co. (NASDAQ:BRKR) Expands By 10.0%

Bruker Co. (NASDAQ:BRKR) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,960,000 shares, a growth of 10.0% from the August 15th total of 3,600,000 shares. Approximately 3.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,040,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.8 days.

Bruker Stock Performance

Shares of BRKR stock traded up $1.77 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $66.80. 1,159,553 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,016,878. Bruker has a 1 year low of $53.79 and a 1 year high of $94.86. The company has a market capitalization of $9.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.83, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $64.30 and its 200 day moving average is $73.12.

Bruker (NASDAQ:BRKR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The medical research company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52. Bruker had a return on equity of 24.92% and a net margin of 11.29%. The firm had revenue of $800.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $799.44 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.50 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Bruker will post 2.61 EPS for the current year.

Bruker Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 2nd were given a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 30th. Bruker’s dividend payout ratio is presently 7.27%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on BRKR shares. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Bruker in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. They set a “buy” rating and a $85.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Bruker from $72.00 to $60.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Bruker in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $78.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Bruker from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Bruker from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $81.40.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bruker

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Bruker by 120.4% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 399 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Bruker during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Bruker during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in Bruker by 139.1% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 361 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new position in Bruker in the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. 79.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Bruker Company Profile

Bruker Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and distributes scientific instruments, and analytical and diagnostic solutions in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Bruker Scientific Instruments (BSI) BioSpin, BSI CALID, BSI Nano, and Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies.