American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AXL) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AXL) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 36,761,174 shares, an increase of 34.4% from the January 15th total of 27,345,841 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 5,357,549 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.9 days. Currently, 31.6% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 31.6% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 5,357,549 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.9 days.

American Axle & Manufacturing Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.80 and a beta of 1.60. American Axle & Manufacturing has a fifty-two week low of $3.00 and a fifty-two week high of $9.00. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.61.

Institutional Trading of American Axle & Manufacturing

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AXL. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in American Axle & Manufacturing by 267.7% during the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 4,383 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 3,191 shares during the period. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter worth $47,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing during the 3rd quarter worth $50,000. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing during the 4th quarter worth $56,000. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV purchased a new position in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in the 3rd quarter valued at about $66,000. 91.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on AXL shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on American Axle & Manufacturing from $7.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $7.00 price objective on shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of American Axle & Manufacturing from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, January 11th. BWS Financial initiated coverage on shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating and a $17.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of American Axle & Manufacturing from $9.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Axle & Manufacturing currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $9.92.

About American Axle & Manufacturing

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc (NYSE: AXL) is a global designer, engineer and manufacturer of driveline and drivetrain systems and components for light vehicles, commercial trucks and off-highway applications. The company’s core product portfolio includes axles, driveshafts, half-shafts, drive module assemblies and differential gears, as well as advanced metallic and composite structures for electric and hybrid vehicles. AAM’s capabilities also encompass system testing, rapid prototyping and precision machining to support both high-volume production and low-volume, specialty vehicle applications.

Founded in 1994 following the divestiture of the Detroit Axle Division of General Motors, American Axle & Manufacturing completed its initial public offering in 1998.