Marine Petroleum Trust (NASDAQ:MARPS) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Marine Petroleum Trust (NASDAQ:MARPS) was the target of a large increase in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 26,165 shares, an increase of 81.0% from the December 31st total of 14,456 shares. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 55,269 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 55,269 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marine Petroleum Trust

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Marine Petroleum Trust stock. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV purchased a new stake in Marine Petroleum Trust (NASDAQ:MARPS) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 24,600 shares of the energy company’s stock, valued at approximately $102,000. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV owned about 1.23% of Marine Petroleum Trust as of its most recent SEC filing. 1.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marine Petroleum Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MARPS traded down $0.17 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $4.62. The stock had a trading volume of 8,398 shares, compared to its average volume of 43,232. The company has a 50 day moving average of $4.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.52. The firm has a market cap of $9.24 million, a PE ratio of 14.90 and a beta of 0.28. Marine Petroleum Trust has a twelve month low of $3.34 and a twelve month high of $7.90.

Marine Petroleum Trust (NASDAQ:MARPS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The energy company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $0.22 million for the quarter. Marine Petroleum Trust had a return on equity of 67.66% and a net margin of 64.77%.

Marine Petroleum Trust Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th were given a dividend of $0.0491 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.3%. Marine Petroleum Trust’s dividend payout ratio is currently 64.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Marine Petroleum Trust in a report on Monday, December 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Sell”.

About Marine Petroleum Trust

Marine Petroleum Trust is a royalty trust that holds overriding royalty interests in petroleum and natural gas production assets on Alaska’s North Slope. Established in 1998, the trust’s primary asset is its net profits interest in the Nikaitchuq Unit, a large oil field operated under state and federal leases. Rather than engaging in exploration or production itself, Marine Petroleum Trust receives income in the form of royalties and net profits from production activities carried out by the unit operator.

The trust’s revenues are generated solely by hydrocarbons extracted from the Nikaitchuq field, with crude oil transported via the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.