Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXS) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXS) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 80,914 shares, a growth of 27.0% from the January 15th total of 63,709 shares. Approximately 1.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 61,850 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 61,850 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days. Approximately 1.6% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

OPXS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded Optex Systems from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Friday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Optex Systems from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, December 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Optex Systems Trading Down 11.1%

NASDAQ OPXS traded down $1.62 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $13.04. 76,653 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 56,150. The firm has a market cap of $90.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.76 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.89. Optex Systems has a 1-year low of $5.36 and a 1-year high of $17.76.

Optex Systems (NASDAQ:OPXS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $9.15 million for the quarter. Optex Systems had a return on equity of 22.12% and a net margin of 10.75%.

Insider Transactions at Optex Systems

In other Optex Systems news, Director Danny Robert Schoening sold 34,147 shares of Optex Systems stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.87, for a total transaction of $473,618.89. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 873,161 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,110,743.07. The trade was a 3.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Over the last three months, insiders sold 110,578 shares of company stock worth $1,510,898. 27.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Optex Systems

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. LSV Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of Optex Systems in the 2nd quarter worth $63,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Optex Systems during the second quarter worth about $304,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Optex Systems by 16.8% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 21,480 shares of the company’s stock worth $305,000 after purchasing an additional 3,086 shares during the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC grew its position in Optex Systems by 106.9% in the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 36,285 shares of the company’s stock worth $468,000 after purchasing an additional 18,749 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in Optex Systems in the 2nd quarter valued at about $604,000. 19.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Optex Systems

Optex Systems Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: OPXS) is a technology company specializing in infrared sensing systems for defense and homeland security applications. The company engineers, designs and manufactures electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) payloads and sensors used across a range of surveillance and targeting platforms. Its core focus areas include mission-critical solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, and ground-based observation systems.

Optex Systems’ product portfolio consists of high-resolution thermal imaging cameras, infrared seekers, laser designators and multispectral platforms.