Associated British Foods plc (OTCMKTS:ASBFY) Short Interest Up 17.8% in January

Associated British Foods plc (OTCMKTS:ASBFY) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 51,600 shares, a growth of 17.8% from the December 31st total of 43,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 55,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.9 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Citigroup lowered Associated British Foods from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th.

Associated British Foods Stock Performance

Shares of Associated British Foods stock opened at $23.45 on Monday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $25.95 and its 200 day moving average is $29.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 0.98. Associated British Foods has a twelve month low of $23.12 and a twelve month high of $35.26.

Associated British Foods Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th were paid a dividend of $0.9028 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 13th. This is an increase from Associated British Foods’s previous dividend of $0.21.

Associated British Foods Company Profile

Associated British Foods plc operates as a diversified food, ingredients, and retail company worldwide. It operates through five segments: Grocery, Ingredients, Agriculture, Sugar, and Retail. The Grocery segment manufactures and sells grocery products, including hot beverages, sugar and sweeteners, vegetable oils, balsamic vinegars, bread and baked goods, cereals, ethnic foods, and meat products to retail, wholesale, and foodservice businesses.