In February, both Sysmex Co. (OTCMKTS:SSMXY) and Smurfit Kappa Group Plc (OTCMKTS:SMFKY) saw a substantial increase in short interest. For Sysmex Co., the short interest totaled 30,600 shares as of February 15th, which is a 71.9% increase from the previous month's total of 17,800 shares. The days-to-cover ratio, based on an average trading volume of 181,300 shares, is currently 0.2 days. On Friday, the stock traded up $0.49, reaching $27.91. The trading volume for the day was 22,189 shares, compared to the average volume of 59,609 shares. Sysmex Co. has a 1-year low of $22.18 and a 1-year high of $36.57. The company has a market capitalization of $11.71 billion, a PE ratio of 36.08, and a beta of 0.68. The company reported earnings of $0.20 per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.24 by ($0.04). The company's revenue for the quarter was $770.84 million. Sysmex Co. has a net margin of 10.25% and a return on equity of 11.15%. Analysts anticipate that the company will post earnings of $0.86 per share for the current year [054e8721].
As for Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, short interest increased by 94.2% in February. As of February 15th, a total of 20,200 shares were shorted, compared to the previous total of 10,400 shares on January 31st. The short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days based on an average trading volume of 35,100 shares. Smurfit Kappa Group stock traded at $42.76 on Friday, with a 12-month low of $30.66 and a 12-month high of $43.12. The company manufactures and sells containerboard, corrugated containers, and other paper-based packaging products in the Americas and Europe [5352eb40].
Meanwhile, ams-OSRAM (OTCMKTS:AMSSY) shares reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday, reaching as low as $0.67. The stock had previously closed at $0.77. The company has a 50-day moving average of $1.13 and a 200-day moving average of $1.88. The stock has a market cap of $1.38 billion, a PE ratio of -0.24, and a beta of 1.43. ams-OSRAM last released its quarterly earnings results on February 9th, reporting ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.01 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $977.73 million for the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that ams-OSRAM AG will post 0.04 EPS for the current fiscal year [d87ff079].
Shares of Synthomer plc (LON:SYNT) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 177.18 ($2.24) and traded as high as GBX 263 ($3.32). Synthomer shares last traded at GBX 259.80 ($3.28), with a volume of 581,866 shares. Separately, Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a GBX 320 ($4.04) price objective on shares of Synthomer in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Synthomer has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of GBX 224.50 ($2.84). The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 166.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 177.18. The firm has a market cap of £424.95 million, a PE ratio of -216.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.17 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 79.72. Synthomer plc operates as a specialty chemicals company in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through five segments: Performance Elastomers, Functional Solutions, Industrial Specialities, Acrylate Monomers, and Adhesive Technologies. The company offers adhesives, coatings products, and more. Synthomer has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of GBX 224.50 ($2.84) [772321ed].
Smurfit WestRock's profit for Smurfit Kappa dropped 51% after merging with WestRock. The profit fell from $267 million to $132 million last quarter. The drop was driven by softer consumer spending, increased input costs, and a $60 million expense tied to the merger. The merger between Smurfit Kappa and WestRock was finalized on July 5, 2024. The financial results for the combined company will be unveiled from Q3 2024 onwards. The firm aims to recuperate costs by raising box prices. The packaging sector is gradually seeing demand return after a year-long slump, but sales are still weak due to cuts in consumer spending. The ability of major players like Smurfit Kappa and WestRock to adapt will set the tone for the industry's resilience and strategic direction moving forward [0e6478f6].