Clearwater Paper Co. (NYSE:CLW) Short Interest Up 9.9% in January

Clearwater Paper Co. (NYSE:CLW) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 403,900 shares, a growth of 9.9% from the January 15th total of 367,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 375,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 2.5% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on CLW shares. StockNews.com raised Clearwater Paper from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $37.00 price target on shares of Clearwater Paper in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th.

Clearwater Paper Stock Down 7.8 %

NYSE:CLW opened at $26.80 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72. Clearwater Paper has a 12-month low of $23.97 and a 12-month high of $57.13. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $29.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $29.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $444.09 million, a P/E ratio of 31.17 and a beta of 0.35.

Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The basic materials company reported ($1.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.33) by ($0.84). Clearwater Paper had a return on equity of 4.35% and a net margin of 0.74%.

Clearwater Paper announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Monday, November 4th that permits the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the basic materials company to repurchase up to 23.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Clearwater Paper

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CLW. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Clearwater Paper during the 3rd quarter worth $74,000. Paloma Partners Management Co bought a new stake in shares of Clearwater Paper in the third quarter worth about $209,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Clearwater Paper during the fourth quarter worth about $217,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its holdings in shares of Clearwater Paper by 23.4% during the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 7,900 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Clearwater Paper in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $226,000. 89.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Clearwater Paper

Clearwater Paper Corporation manufactures and supplies bleached paperboards, and consumer and parent roll tissues in the United States and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paperboard, and Consumer Products segments. The Pulp and Paperboard segment manufactures and markets bleached paperboard; Solid Bleached Sulfate paperboard that is used to produce folding cartons, liquid packaging, cups and plates, blister and carded packaging, and top sheet and commercial printing items; and hardwood and softwood pulp, as well as offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting.