ATS Co. (NYSE:ATS) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

ATS Co. (NYSE:ATS) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,450,000 shares, an increase of 10.2% from the October 31st total of 3,130,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 156,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 22.1 days. Currently, 3.6% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Institutional Trading of ATS

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in ATS by 125.0% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 14,132 shares of the company’s stock valued at $431,000 after purchasing an additional 7,850 shares during the period. Barclays PLC purchased a new stake in ATS during the 3rd quarter valued at $510,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ATS by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 38,987 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,136,000 after buying an additional 1,920 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of ATS in the 3rd quarter worth $722,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in shares of ATS by 29.0% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 418,651 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,162,000 after acquiring an additional 94,158 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.84% of the company’s stock.

ATS Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of ATS stock traded down $0.38 on Tuesday, reaching $31.79. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 107,171 shares, compared to its average volume of 166,933. The company has a market capitalization of $3.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.11 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. ATS has a 52 week low of $24.82 and a 52 week high of $44.70. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $30.10 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $29.96.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on ATS. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on ATS from $34.00 to $30.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on ATS from $36.00 to $31.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 13th.

About ATS

ATS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides automation solutions worldwide. The company is also involved in planning, designing, building, commissioning, and servicing automated manufacturing and assembly systems, including automation products and test solutions. In addition, it offers pre-automation services comprising discovery and analysis, concept development, simulation, and total cost of ownership modelling; post automation services, including training, process optimization, preventative maintenance, emergency and on-call support, spare parts, retooling, retrofits, and equipment relocation; and contract manufacturing services, as well as after sales and services.