Short Interest in Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGC) Expands By 27.8%

Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGC) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 112,500 shares, an increase of 27.8% from the March 31st total of 88,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 60,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days. Currently, 1.0% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Singular Research reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Superior Group of Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 19th. Barrington Research boosted their target price on Superior Group of Companies from $13.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, March 15th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Superior Group of Companies from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 20th.

Superior Group of Companies Stock Up 0.8 %

NASDAQ SGC traded up $0.14 on Friday, reaching $16.87. The company had a trading volume of 32,343 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,302. The firm has a market capitalization of $281.90 million, a PE ratio of 30.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.40. Superior Group of Companies has a 1 year low of $7.23 and a 1 year high of $17.70. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $15.71 and a 200-day moving average of $13.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 2.78 and a quick ratio of 1.80.

Superior Group of Companies (NASDAQ:SGC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 13th. The textile maker reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $147.24 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $142.59 million. Superior Group of Companies had a return on equity of 4.51% and a net margin of 1.61%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Superior Group of Companies will post 0.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Superior Group of Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. Superior Group of Companies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 101.82%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Philip Koosed sold 9,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.64, for a total transaction of $140,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 82,436 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,289,299.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Paul V. Mellini sold 6,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.66, for a total transaction of $93,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 92,955 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,455,675.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Philip Koosed sold 9,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.64, for a total value of $140,760.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 82,436 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,289,299.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 27.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Superior Group of Companies

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in shares of Superior Group of Companies during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Superior Group of Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $113,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Superior Group of Companies by 78.1% during the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 16,218 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $125,000 after buying an additional 7,111 shares in the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd grew its position in shares of Superior Group of Companies by 67.6% during the third quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 18,364 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 7,408 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EMC Capital Management grew its position in shares of Superior Group of Companies by 1,040.2% during the third quarter. EMC Capital Management now owns 22,803 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $177,000 after buying an additional 20,803 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 33.75% of the company’s stock.

Superior Group of Companies Company Profile

Superior Group of Companies, Inc manufactures and sells apparel and accessories in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Branded Products, Healthcare Apparel, and Contact Centers. The Branded Products segment produces and sells customized merchandising solutions, promotional products, and branded uniform to chain retailer, food service, entertainment, technology, transportation, and other industries under BAMKO and HPI brands.