Short Interest in GATX Co. (NYSE:GATX) Expands By 5.1%

GATX Co. (NYSE:GATX) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,430,000 shares, an increase of 5.1% from the October 15th total of 1,360,000 shares. Approximately 4.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 140,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10.2 days.

GATX Stock Up 0.0 %

GATX stock opened at $152.36 on Wednesday. GATX has a 52 week low of $106.92 and a 52 week high of $156.03. The company has a quick ratio of 3.41, a current ratio of 3.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.41. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $139.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $137.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.37 and a beta of 0.95.

GATX (NYSE:GATX) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The transportation company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.54. The company had revenue of $405.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $391.65 million. GATX had a net margin of 17.76% and a return on equity of 11.98%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 12.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that GATX will post 7.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

GATX Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 13th will be issued a $0.58 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 13th. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.52%. GATX’s dividend payout ratio is presently 31.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling at GATX

In other GATX news, major shareholder Farm Mutual Automobile I. State purchased 8,984 shares of GATX stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $133.65 per share, with a total value of $1,200,711.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,312,294 shares in the company, valued at approximately $442,688,093.10. This trade represents a 0.27 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.99% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of GATX

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GATX. Gradient Investments LLC purchased a new position in GATX during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC purchased a new stake in shares of GATX during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in GATX in the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new position in GATX in the second quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, CWM LLC grew its position in GATX by 20.2% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 487 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the period. 93.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of GATX in a report on Monday. They set a “buy” rating and a $185.00 price objective on the stock. Susquehanna upped their target price on GATX from $122.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st.

About GATX

GATX Corporation, together its subsidiaries, operates as railcar leasing company in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and India. It operates through three segments: Rail North America, Rail International, and Portfolio Management. The company leases tank and freight railcars, and locomotives for petroleum, chemical, food/agriculture, and transportation industries.