Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI) Short Interest Update

Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 4,602,127 shares, an increase of 18.9% from the February 12th total of 3,869,468 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,099,069 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.2 days. Currently, 3.5% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 3.5% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,099,069 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.2 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Service Corporation International news, CAO Tammy R. Moore sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.48, for a total transaction of $402,400.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 21,654 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,742,713.92. This trade represents a 18.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Tony Coelho sold 7,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.87, for a total transaction of $614,999.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 28,388 shares in the company, valued at $2,267,349.56. This trade represents a 21.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 4.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Service Corporation International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CX Institutional lifted its position in Service Corporation International by 1.3% during the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 10,153 shares of the company’s stock valued at $845,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS raised its stake in shares of Service Corporation International by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 29,900 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,488,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its stake in Service Corporation International by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 43,521 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,622,000 after buying an additional 270 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth increased its stake in shares of Service Corporation International by 3.1% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 10,571 shares of the company’s stock worth $848,000 after buying an additional 321 shares during the period. Finally, Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. purchased a new position in Service Corporation International in the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 85.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Service Corporation International Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of SCI traded down $0.12 on Tuesday, reaching $79.36. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,064,795 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,135,683. Service Corporation International has a twelve month low of $71.75 and a twelve month high of $86.67. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $81.26 and a 200-day moving average of $80.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.05 billion, a PE ratio of 20.88, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.00.

Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.14. The business had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.12 billion. Service Corporation International had a net margin of 12.59% and a return on equity of 34.21%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.06 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Service Corporation International will post 3.84 EPS for the current year.

Service Corporation International Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be given a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. This is a positive change from Service Corporation International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. Service Corporation International’s payout ratio is 35.79%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on SCI shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Service Corporation International in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $110.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings raised Service Corporation International from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Service Corporation International from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $96.50.

Service Corporation International Company Profile

Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI) is a leading provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services in North America. Through its network of funeral homes, cemeteries, memorial parks and crematoria, the company offers a broad array of end-of-life services, including traditional funeral ceremonies, memorialization, burial and cremation. In addition to core services, SCI provides grief counseling, pre-need planning and merchandise such as caskets, vaults, urns and memorialization products.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Service Corporation International operates more than 1,900 funeral homes, over 450 cemeteries and 40 combination facilities across the United States and Canada.