J Sainsbury plc (OTCMKTS:JSAIY) Short Interest Up 29.8% in December

J Sainsbury plc (OTCMKTS:JSAIY) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 48,300 shares, an increase of 29.8% from the December 15th total of 37,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 77,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded J Sainsbury to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. BNP Paribas raised shares of J Sainsbury to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th.

J Sainsbury Stock Performance

JSAIY traded up $0.13 during trading on Friday, hitting $12.99. The stock had a trading volume of 26,355 shares, compared to its average volume of 29,948. J Sainsbury has a twelve month low of $12.09 and a twelve month high of $16.43. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $13.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $14.31.

J Sainsbury Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were given a dividend of $0.2025 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th.

J Sainsbury Company Profile

J Sainsbury plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the food, general merchandise and clothing retailing, and financial services activities in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It operates through three segments: Retail Food, Retail General Merchandise and Clothing, and Financial Services.