Clearwater Paper Co. (NYSE:CLW) Short Interest Update

Clearwater Paper Co. (NYSE:CLW) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 544,400 shares, an increase of 34.8% from the January 31st total of 403,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 368,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days. Approximately 3.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Clearwater Paper Stock Down 4.0 %

Shares of NYSE:CLW opened at $25.12 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $29.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.77. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a market capitalization of $406.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.35. Clearwater Paper has a 12-month low of $23.97 and a 12-month high of $57.13.

Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The basic materials company reported ($1.17) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.33) by ($0.84). Clearwater Paper had a net margin of 10.54% and a negative return on equity of 1.87%.

Clearwater Paper declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Monday, November 4th that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the basic materials company to repurchase up to 23.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Clearwater Paper

In other Clearwater Paper news, SVP Kari G. Moyes sold 2,778 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.72, for a total value of $74,228.16. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 83,799 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,239,109.28. This trade represents a 3.21 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Clearwater Paper

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Clearwater Paper by 45.2% in the 3rd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 1,887,015 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $53,855,000 after buying an additional 587,043 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Clearwater Paper by 339.6% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 27,139 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $774,000 after buying an additional 20,966 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Clearwater Paper by 124.0% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 12,400 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $361,000 after buying an additional 6,865 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Clearwater Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $877,000. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Clearwater Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,043,000. 89.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $37.00 target price on shares of Clearwater Paper in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. StockNews.com raised Clearwater Paper from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 17th.

Clearwater Paper Company Profile

Clearwater Paper Corporation manufactures and supplies bleached paperboards, and consumer and parent roll tissues in the United States and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paperboard, and Consumer Products segments. The Pulp and Paperboard segment manufactures and markets bleached paperboard; Solid Bleached Sulfate paperboard that is used to produce folding cartons, liquid packaging, cups and plates, blister and carded packaging, and top sheet and commercial printing items; and hardwood and softwood pulp, as well as offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting.