Short Interest in Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAOI) Expands By 12.9%

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAOI) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,550,000 shares, an increase of 12.9% from the January 15th total of 8,460,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,820,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days.

Applied Optoelectronics Stock Down 4.2 %

AAOI stock opened at $25.90 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.57 and a beta of 2.36. Applied Optoelectronics has a 1-year low of $6.70 and a 1-year high of $44.50. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $32.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $22.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.06.

Insider Activity at Applied Optoelectronics

In other Applied Optoelectronics news, insider Hung-Lun (Fred) Chang sold 20,323 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.35, for a total value of $616,803.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 195,572 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,935,610.20. This represents a 9.41 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Stefan J. Murry sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.56, for a total value of $157,800.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 216,129 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,821,031.24. This represents a 2.26 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 93,067 shares of company stock worth $3,243,938. 5.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Applied Optoelectronics

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AAOI. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new position in Applied Optoelectronics in the second quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new stake in shares of Applied Optoelectronics in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $303,000. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC boosted its position in Applied Optoelectronics by 75.8% during the 3rd quarter. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC now owns 235,763 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $3,374,000 after purchasing an additional 101,640 shares during the period. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust grew its stake in Applied Optoelectronics by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust now owns 410,154 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $5,869,000 after buying an additional 11,037 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Applied Optoelectronics in the third quarter worth $1,319,000. Institutional investors own 61.72% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Northland Securities restated an “outperform” rating and set a $40.00 price objective (up previously from $25.00) on shares of Applied Optoelectronics in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Applied Optoelectronics from $17.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Rosenblatt Securities lifted their price target on shares of Applied Optoelectronics from $27.50 to $44.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. B. Riley downgraded shares of Applied Optoelectronics from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $14.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Applied Optoelectronics to a “sell” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Applied Optoelectronics currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $29.20.

Applied Optoelectronics Company Profile

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells fiber-optic networking products in the United States, Taiwan, and China. It offers optical modules, optical filters, lasers, laser components, subassemblies, transmitters and transceivers, turn-key equipment, headend, node, distribution equipment, and amplifiers.