Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) Short Interest Up 23.5% in January

Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 26,027,988 shares, an increase of 23.5% from the January 15th total of 21,083,507 shares. Currently, 10.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,762,143 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,762,143 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.5 days. Currently, 10.1% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on M shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Macy’s from $16.50 to $22.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Macy’s in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Macy’s from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Macy’s from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Evercore boosted their price objective on Macy’s from $14.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a “cautious” rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Macy’s currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $20.50.

Macy’s Stock Up 2.8%

Shares of Macy’s stock opened at $22.23 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.18. Macy’s has a 1-year low of $9.76 and a 1-year high of $24.41. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $22.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.15. The company has a market capitalization of $5.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.15 and a beta of 1.50.

Macy’s (NYSE:M) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.13) by $0.22. The company had revenue of $4.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.52 billion. Macy’s had a return on equity of 15.57% and a net margin of 2.10%.The company’s quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.04 earnings per share. Macy’s has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.000-2.20 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Macy’s will post 2.39 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Macy’s news, EVP Danielle L. Kirgan sold 85,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.92, for a total value of $2,033,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 51,161 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,223,771.12. This trade represents a 62.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.09% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Macy’s

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in M. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Macy’s in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in Macy’s during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Macy’s by 51.7% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,543 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. acquired a new stake in Macy’s in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Macy’s by 35.9% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,838 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares in the last quarter. 87.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Macy’s

Macy’s, Inc is a leading American omnichannel retailer operating under the Macy’s brand, as well as specialty divisions Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury. The company’s retail portfolio encompasses full-line department stores, fashion-focused specialty outlets and a high-end beauty chain, offering consumers a wide array of apparel, footwear, accessories, cosmetics and home furnishings. Through its integrated network of physical stores and digital platforms, Macy’s seeks to deliver a seamless shopping experience that blends in-store service with online convenience.

The company’s product assortment spans men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, beauty and personal care products, housewares and home décor.