Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE:AMBP) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE:AMBP) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 3,007,048 shares, a decline of 29.4% from the December 15th total of 4,260,134 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,057,246 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,057,246 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.8 days. Currently, 0.5% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group lifted their target price on Ardagh Metal Packaging from $4.00 to $4.25 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Morgan Stanley set a $4.30 price objective on Ardagh Metal Packaging in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging from $4.50 to $4.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging from $4.00 to $5.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Raymond James Financial began coverage on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a “market perform” rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $4.51.

Institutional Trading of Ardagh Metal Packaging

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd lifted its stake in Ardagh Metal Packaging by 15.3% in the 3rd quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 25,046 shares of the company’s stock worth $100,000 after purchasing an additional 3,328 shares in the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 11.5% in the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 32,897 shares of the company’s stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 3,391 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its stake in Ardagh Metal Packaging by 9.6% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 40,104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $172,000 after buying an additional 3,523 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in Ardagh Metal Packaging by 9.1% during the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 56,828 shares of the company’s stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 4,741 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC increased its stake in Ardagh Metal Packaging by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC now owns 84,636 shares of the company’s stock worth $338,000 after acquiring an additional 4,742 shares during the last quarter. 16.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ardagh Metal Packaging Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AMBP traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $4.37. 2,994,044 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 765,465. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $4.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -437.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.55. Ardagh Metal Packaging has a 52 week low of $2.50 and a 52 week high of $4.78.

Ardagh Metal Packaging (NYSE:AMBP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.07 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.39 billion. Ardagh Metal Packaging had a net margin of 0.30% and a negative return on equity of 58.16%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.08 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Ardagh Metal Packaging will post 0.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ardagh Metal Packaging Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 13th. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd were issued a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. Ardagh Metal Packaging’s payout ratio is -4,000.00%.

Ardagh Metal Packaging Company Profile

Ardagh Metal Packaging (NYSE: AMBP) is a global supplier of metal packaging solutions, specializing in the production of steel and aluminum beverage cans, food cans and ends. As a segment of the Ardagh Group, the company supports a broad range of food and beverage customers, including soft drink and craft beer producers, as well as food manufacturers requiring durable, recyclable packaging. Its product portfolio encompasses two‐piece and three‐piece cans, a variety of can ends and closures, and value‐added services such as custom lithography and decorating.

The company operates a network of manufacturing plants across North America and Europe, serving both regional and multinational clients.