Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) Short Interest Update

Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 7,285,730 shares, a decrease of 15.0% from the January 29th total of 8,573,285 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,470,061 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days. Currently, 3.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 3.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,470,061 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Benchmark lifted their price target on Expand Energy from $112.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $141.00 price objective on shares of Expand Energy in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. TD Cowen raised shares of Expand Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Expand Energy from $118.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Expand Energy from $136.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $130.38.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Expand Energy

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EXE. Capital Research Global Investors increased its stake in Expand Energy by 161.5% during the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 15,959,335 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,695,520,000 after acquiring an additional 9,856,576 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in Expand Energy by 36,574.9% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,420,912 shares of the company’s stock valued at $267,172,000 after buying an additional 2,414,311 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Expand Energy by 192.0% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,286,361 shares of the company’s stock worth $362,683,000 after purchasing an additional 2,160,979 shares during the period. Phoenix Financial Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Expand Energy during the third quarter valued at $169,783,000. Finally, Dragoneer Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in Expand Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $145,633,000. 97.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Expand Energy Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ EXE traded up $0.88 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $106.76. 3,203,673 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,786,616. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.67 billion, a PE ratio of 14.16 and a beta of 0.47. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $106.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $106.43. Expand Energy has a 52 week low of $91.01 and a 52 week high of $126.62.

Expand Energy (NASDAQ:EXE) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $3.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.28 billion. Expand Energy had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 8.17%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Expand Energy will post 1.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Expand Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 5th will be given a $0.575 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 5th. This represents a $2.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. Expand Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.50%.

Expand Energy Company Profile

Expand Energy Corporation is an independent natural gas producer principally in the United States. Expand Energy Corporation, formerly known as Chesapeake Energy Corporation, is based in OKLAHOMA CITY.