Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) Shares Gap Up – What’s Next?

Shares of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAOI) gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $27.04, but opened at $27.82. Applied Optoelectronics shares last traded at $28.24, with a volume of 2,465,798 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AAOI has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Applied Optoelectronics from $17.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Northland Securities reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $40.00 target price (up from $25.00) on shares of Applied Optoelectronics in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. StockNews.com raised Applied Optoelectronics to a “sell” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Rosenblatt Securities reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $44.00 price objective on shares of Applied Optoelectronics in a report on Monday. Finally, B. Riley lowered shares of Applied Optoelectronics from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $14.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $29.20.

Applied Optoelectronics Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.22 billion, a PE ratio of -12.39 and a beta of 2.36. The business’s 50 day moving average is $30.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $23.91.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director William H. Yeh sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.08, for a total value of $430,800.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 223,538 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,630,017.04. This represents a 4.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Stefan J. Murry sold 2,298 shares of Applied Optoelectronics stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.17, for a total value of $80,820.66. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 209,831 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,379,756.27. This trade represents a 1.08 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 46,088 shares of company stock worth $1,672,801. 5.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Applied Optoelectronics

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Applied Optoelectronics during the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Applied Optoelectronics by 858.2% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,284 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 1,150 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in Applied Optoelectronics during the fourth quarter valued at $63,000. Pingora Partners LLC purchased a new position in Applied Optoelectronics during the third quarter valued at $82,000. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Applied Optoelectronics by 3,290.6% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,137 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $88,000 after buying an additional 5,956 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.72% of the company’s stock.

Applied Optoelectronics Company Profile

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells fiber-optic networking products in the United States, Taiwan, and China. It offers optical modules, optical filters, lasers, laser components, subassemblies, transmitters and transceivers, turn-key equipment, headend, node, distribution equipment, and amplifiers.