Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 315,528 shares, an increase of 40.4% from the December 15th total of 224,717 shares. Approximately 2.4% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 278,841 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 278,841 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Approximately 2.4% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on ASYS. Benchmark reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Amtech Systems in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Amtech Systems in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen cut Amtech Systems from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Sunday, January 11th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Amtech Systems from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Institutional Trading of Amtech Systems

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Amtech Systems in the 3rd quarter worth about $135,000. Wexford Capital LP bought a new stake in Amtech Systems during the third quarter worth about $174,000. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new stake in Amtech Systems in the third quarter worth about $111,000. Citadel Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Amtech Systems by 39.6% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 78,454 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $726,000 after purchasing an additional 22,260 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brevan Howard Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Amtech Systems during the third quarter valued at approximately $167,000. Institutional investors own 50.21% of the company’s stock.

Amtech Systems Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ASYS opened at $14.74 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $211.67 million, a P/E ratio of -6.92 and a beta of 1.65. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $10.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.10. Amtech Systems has a 52-week low of $3.20 and a 52-week high of $15.22.

About Amtech Systems

Amtech Systems, Inc is a global supplier of capital equipment and aftermarket parts for the solar photovoltaic and semiconductor industries. The company’s solutions support key steps in wafer and cell production, offering both new machinery and spares designed to optimize yield, throughput and energy efficiency. Amtech operates through two primary segments: solar manufacturing and semiconductor & electronics packaging.

In its solar segment, Amtech provides diffusion furnaces, epitaxy reactors and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) systems used in high-volume solar cell fabrication.