Short Interest in United-Guardian, Inc. (NASDAQ:UG) Declines By 30.8%

United-Guardian, Inc. (NASDAQ:UG) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,900 shares, a drop of 30.8% from the January 31st total of 14,300 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 10,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of United-Guardian in a research note on Tuesday. They set a “buy” rating on the stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United-Guardian

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of United-Guardian by 8.3% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 28,335 shares of the company’s stock valued at $450,000 after purchasing an additional 2,170 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of United-Guardian by 69.5% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 25,527 shares of the company’s stock valued at $244,000 after purchasing an additional 10,466 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in shares of United-Guardian by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 190,163 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,818,000 after purchasing an additional 7,800 shares during the period. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United-Guardian in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $192,000. Finally, Heron Bay Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of United-Guardian in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $135,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 23.16% of the company’s stock.

United-Guardian Stock Down 2.6 %

UG opened at $10.10 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $46.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.29 and a beta of 0.76. United-Guardian has a fifty-two week low of $7.02 and a fifty-two week high of $16.25. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $10.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.81.

United-Guardian Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th were paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 13.86%. United-Guardian’s payout ratio is currently 92.11%.

United-Guardian Company Profile

United-Guardian, Inc manufactures and markets cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceuticals, medical lubricants, and proprietary specialty industrial products in the United States and internationally The company offers cosmetic ingredients, including LUBRAJEL, a line of water-based gel formulation for sensory enhancement, lubrication, and texture to personal care products; LUBRAJEL NATURAL for skin moisturizing; LUBRAJEL MARINE that develops natural products using naturally derived polymers; LUBRAJEL OlL NATURAL, which makes luxuriant textures without adding viscosity; LUBRAJEL TERRA, a multifunctional, moisturizing hydrogel products; LUBRASIL II SB, a formulation of LUBRAJEL; LUBRAJEL II XD; B-122, a powdered lubricant used in the manufacture of pressed powders, eyeliners, rouges, and industrial products; and ORCHID COMPLEX, an oil-soluble base for extract of fresh orchids used in fragrance products, such as perfumes and toiletries.