United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (NASDAQ:USLM) Short Interest Update

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (NASDAQ:USLM) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 498,900 shares, an increase of 38.7% from the January 31st total of 359,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 126,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.9 days.

United States Lime & Minerals Stock Down 3.6 %

USLM stock opened at $90.48 on Tuesday. United States Lime & Minerals has a twelve month low of $50.78 and a twelve month high of $159.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.85 and a beta of 0.91. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $114.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $112.47.

United States Lime & Minerals (NASDAQ:USLM) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 3rd. The construction company reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter. United States Lime & Minerals had a return on equity of 24.55% and a net margin of 34.27%.

United States Lime & Minerals Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $0.06 dividend. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from United States Lime & Minerals’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. United States Lime & Minerals’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.33%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Sandra C. Duhe sold 3,157 shares of United States Lime & Minerals stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.61, for a total value of $298,683.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,128 shares in the company, valued at approximately $201,330.08. This trade represents a 59.74 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.16% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in USLM. Creative Planning purchased a new position in United States Lime & Minerals in the 3rd quarter worth about $258,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in United States Lime & Minerals by 900.0% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 310 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 279 shares during the period. James Investment Research Inc. increased its stake in United States Lime & Minerals by 400.0% in the 3rd quarter. James Investment Research Inc. now owns 10,350 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,011,000 after buying an additional 8,280 shares during the period. Amalgamated Bank increased its position in United States Lime & Minerals by 400.0% during the 3rd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 360 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares during the period. Finally, Heritage Investors Management Corp increased its position in United States Lime & Minerals by 398.7% during the 3rd quarter. Heritage Investors Management Corp now owns 31,245 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $3,051,000 after purchasing an additional 24,980 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 27.12% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com raised United States Lime & Minerals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday.

United States Lime & Minerals Company Profile

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of lime and limestone products. Its products include High Calcium Quicklime, Hydrated Lime, Lime Kiln Dust, Lime Slurry, and High Calcium Limestone. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.