Japan Tob (OTCMKTS:JAPAY) Short Interest Up 307.6% in December

Japan Tob (OTCMKTS:JAPAY) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 31,592 shares, a growth of 307.6% from the December 15th total of 7,750 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 390,601 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s shares are short sold. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 390,601 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

JAPAY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays reissued an “underweight” rating and set a $17.00 target price on shares of Japan Tob in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Zacks Research raised shares of Japan Tob from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $17.00.

Japan Tob Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of OTCMKTS JAPAY opened at $18.58 on Tuesday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $18.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a current ratio of 1.95. Japan Tob has a 52-week low of $11.91 and a 52-week high of $19.51. The company has a market capitalization of $65.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.42 and a beta of 0.35.

About Japan Tob

Japan Tobacco Inc (OTC: JAPAY) is a Tokyo-based multinational company primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. The company’s core activities include the development, production and distribution of cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery products for domestic and international markets. Japan Tobacco also pursues business activities beyond tobacco, including pharmaceutical and processed‑food operations through subsidiary units and strategic investments.

In its tobacco operations the company serves both the Japanese market and a broad international footprint through its global operating arm, Japan Tobacco International (JTI).