Vodafone Group Public Limited (NASDAQ:VOD) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Vodafone Group Public Limited (NASDAQ:VOD) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 5,160,000 shares, a growth of 17.0% from the November 15th total of 4,410,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,130,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.0 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vodafone Group Public

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in VOD. ACR Alpine Capital Research LLC grew its stake in Vodafone Group Public by 1.2% in the second quarter. ACR Alpine Capital Research LLC now owns 21,870,016 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $193,987,000 after purchasing an additional 261,060 shares during the last quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Vodafone Group Public in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $82,716,000. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Vodafone Group Public by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,984,642 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $44,214,000 after acquiring an additional 435,877 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in Vodafone Group Public by 12.4% during the third quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 4,277,581 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $43,161,000 after acquiring an additional 472,537 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldentree Asset Management LP grew its holdings in Vodafone Group Public by 1.9% in the third quarter. Goldentree Asset Management LP now owns 3,283,292 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $32,898,000 after purchasing an additional 60,943 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 7.84% of the company’s stock.

Vodafone Group Public Stock Performance

VOD opened at $8.69 on Friday. Vodafone Group Public has a one year low of $8.02 and a one year high of $10.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $9.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.36.

Vodafone Group Public Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Investors of record on Friday, November 22nd will be paid a $0.2423 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 22nd. This represents a yield of 8%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on VOD. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Vodafone Group Public from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. StockNews.com raised Vodafone Group Public from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, August 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Vodafone Group Public Company Profile

Vodafone Group Public Limited Company provides telecommunication services in Europe and internationally. It offers mobile connectivity services comprising end-to-end services for mobile voice and data, messaging, device management, BYOx, and telecoms management, as well as professional and consulting services; and fixed line connectivity, such as fixed voice and data, broadband, software-defined networks, managed WAN, LAN, ethernet, and satellite; and financial services, as well as business and merchant services.