Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,180,000 shares, an increase of 59.7% from the November 30th total of 739,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,220,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days. Currently, 0.7% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of VIK. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Viking during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,063,879,000. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of Viking by 27.8% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,979,454 shares of the company’s stock worth $243,513,000 after purchasing an additional 1,518,773 shares during the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. bought a new position in shares of Viking in the second quarter worth approximately $145,989,000. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in shares of Viking by 25.7% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,090,768 shares of the company’s stock worth $154,931,000 after buying an additional 836,353 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in Viking by 36.8% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,951,929 shares of the company’s stock valued at $102,993,000 after buying an additional 793,795 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.84% of the company’s stock.

Viking Trading Down 2.7 %

Shares of NYSE:VIK opened at $44.41 on Monday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $43.93 and its 200 day moving average is $37.69. Viking has a 52 week low of $25.71 and a 52 week high of $47.62.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on VIK. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Viking from $38.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 2nd. Barclays reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $49.00 price target on shares of Viking in a report on Friday, December 13th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Viking from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Viking from $39.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 18th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Viking in a report on Thursday, December 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $54.00 price target on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $42.85.

About Viking

Viking Holdings Ltd engages in the passenger shipping and other forms of passenger transport in North America, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through River and Ocean segments. The company also operates as a tour entrepreneur for passengers and related activities in tourism. As of December 31, 2023, it operated a fleet of 92 ships, including 81 river vessels comprising 58 Longships, 10 smaller classes based on the Longship design, 11 other river vessels, and 1 river vessel charter and the Viking Mississippi; 9 ocean ships; and 2 expedition ships.