Arkema SA (OTCMKTS:ARKAY – Get Rating) experienced strong growth in short-term interest during the month of June. As of June 30, there were short interests totaling 6,100 shares, a growth of 577.8% from the total of 900 shares as of June 15. Based on an average daily trading volume of 30,600 shares, the short interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

ARKAY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus lowered his price target on Arkema from €139.00 ($139.00) to €123.00 ($123.00) and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report from the Wednesday, July 6. Kepler Capital Markets downgraded Arkema from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a Wednesday, March 30 research note. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Arkema from a “neutral” rating to an “underweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Credit Suisse Group raised its price target on Arkema from €101.00 ($101.00) to €103.00 ($103.00) in a Friday, April 8 report. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered its price target on Arkema shares from €145.00 ($145.00) to €135.00 ($135.00) in a Tuesday, July 5 research report. Three research analysts gave the stock a sell rating, two issued a hold rating and five gave the company a buy rating. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $128.29.

Arkema shares were trading at $2.74 at midday on Wednesday, reaching $86.86. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 15,269 shares, compared to an average volume of 7,847. The share’s fifty-day moving average price is $109.02 and its two-hundred-day moving average price is of $124.04. Arkema has a 12-month low of $86.14 and a 12-month high of $152.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt ratio of 0.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.44.

Arkema (OTCMKTS:ARKAY – Get Rating) last announced its results on Thursday May 5th. The basic materials company reported EPS of $5.54 for the quarter. Arkema posted a net margin of 15.10% and a return on equity of 17.59%. The company posted revenue of $3.24 billion for the quarter. Equity analysts expect Arkema to post earnings per share of 14.29 for the current year.

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 9. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 20 received a dividend of $2.6665. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 19. This represents a return of 2.22%. Arkema’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 11.60%.

Arkema company profile (Get a rating)

Arkema SA manufactures and sells specialty chemicals and advanced materials worldwide. The Company operates through Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials, Coating Solutions and Intermediates segments. It provides adhesive solutions for construction, building renovation, DIY, durable goods, packaging and nonwoven applications; and provides technologies used in construction activities for businesses and individuals, including sealants, tiles, floor adhesives and waterproofing systems, and technologies used in industry, which includes the markets for automotive, textiles, glazing, flexible and rigid packaging and hygiene.

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