Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATR) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATR) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totaling 583,679 shares, an increase of 70.4% from the May 31st total of 342,571 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 148,550 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.9 days. Approximately 3.4% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Nature’s Sunshine Products Stock Performance

NASDAQ:NATR opened at $21.47 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $377.44 million, a P/E ratio of 19.52 and a beta of 0.87. Nature’s Sunshine Products has a fifty-two week low of $12.97 and a fifty-two week high of $28.14. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $23.75.

Nature’s Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.10. Nature’s Sunshine Products had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 14.67%. The firm had revenue of $122.89 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $122.15 million.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on NATR shares. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $37.00 price objective on Nature’s Sunshine Products in a research report on Friday, May 8th. DA Davidson reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $33.00 target price on shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products in a report on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut Nature’s Sunshine Products from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $35.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Nature’s Sunshine Products

In related news, EVP Nathan G. Brower sold 12,015 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.84, for a total transaction of $262,407.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,438 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $948,685.92. The trade was a 21.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Daniel C. Norman sold 9,713 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.64, for a total transaction of $200,476.32. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 47,276 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $975,776.64. This represents a 17.04% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 35,696 shares of company stock valued at $742,407. Insiders own 3.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nature’s Sunshine Products

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new stake in Nature’s Sunshine Products during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new position in shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products in the first quarter worth $37,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products in the second quarter worth $37,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products by 16,025.0% during the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,935 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,923 shares in the last quarter. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC bought a new position in shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products during the first quarter valued at $48,000. 79.40% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Nature’s Sunshine Products Company Profile

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc is a global manufacturer and direct seller of nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, and personal care products. The company’s core business centers on research, development and distribution of vitamins, minerals, botanicals and essential oil-based formulations designed to support overall health and wellness. Operating under a network-marketing model, Nature’s Sunshine works through a network of independent distributors who promote and sell its product line directly to consumers.

The company’s product portfolio spans dietary supplements such as single-ingredient vitamins, proprietary herbal blends, sports nutrition formulas and weight-management solutions, along with skin and hair care items based on botanical extracts and essential oils.