Farmer Brothers Company (NASDAQ:FARM) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Farmer Brothers Company (NASDAQ:FARM) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 54,204 shares, a decline of 25.8% from the December 31st total of 73,014 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 48,499 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 48,499 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Farmer Brothers Price Performance

FARM stock traded down $0.08 on Friday, hitting $1.65. 32,534 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 53,347. The stock has a market cap of $35.64 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.62 and a beta of 1.27. Farmer Brothers has a 1-year low of $1.34 and a 1-year high of $3.29. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $1.54 and a 200-day moving average of $1.67.

Farmer Brothers (NASDAQ:FARM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.19) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.09) by ($0.10). Farmer Brothers had a negative return on equity of 13.80% and a negative net margin of 4.00%.The business had revenue of $81.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $86.26 million. On average, analysts forecast that Farmer Brothers will post -0.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on FARM. Roth Mkm dropped their price target on shares of Farmer Brothers from $3.50 to $3.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Zacks Research downgraded Farmer Brothers from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Farmer Brothers in a research report on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $2.75.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Teton Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Farmer Brothers in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $537,000. Sanders Morris Harris LLC increased its stake in shares of Farmer Brothers by 43.5% in the third quarter. Sanders Morris Harris LLC now owns 218,238 shares of the company’s stock worth $373,000 after acquiring an additional 66,200 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Farmer Brothers by 253.7% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 68,833 shares of the company’s stock worth $153,000 after acquiring an additional 49,374 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd boosted its position in Farmer Brothers by 210.2% during the second quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 42,297 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 28,661 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Farmer Brothers in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. 64.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Farmer Brothers Company Profile

Farmer Brothers Company (NASDAQ: FARM) is a specialty coffee roaster and distributor that serves the foodservice, hospitality and office coffee markets across the United States. The company produces and delivers coffee, tea, single-serve products and beverage equipment, supporting its customers with supply chain solutions, equipment maintenance and barista training services. Its operations are organized to serve commercial accounts ranging from national restaurant chains and convenience stores to independent coffee shops and corporate offices.

Founded in 1912 in Texas, Farmer Brothers has grown from a regional roaster into a national supplier with a network of manufacturing and distribution facilities.