The York Water Company (NASDAQ:YORW) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

The York Water Company (NASDAQ:YORW) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 177,000 shares, a growth of 44.7% from the December 15th total of 122,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 52,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.3 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On York Water

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Johnson & White Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in York Water during the fourth quarter worth $828,000. Fulton Bank N.A. boosted its stake in shares of York Water by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 16,600 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $543,000 after acquiring an additional 750 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of York Water by 78.3% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 30,368 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,138,000 after acquiring an additional 13,339 shares during the period. Barclays PLC increased its stake in shares of York Water by 297.0% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 22,371 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $838,000 after purchasing an additional 16,736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in York Water by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 343,279 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $12,862,000 after purchasing an additional 3,082 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.86% of the company’s stock.

York Water Stock Performance

Shares of YORW stock opened at $30.79 on Wednesday. York Water has a 52-week low of $30.02 and a 52-week high of $41.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market cap of $442.58 million, a PE ratio of 20.80 and a beta of 0.64. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $34.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $36.82.

York Water Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a $0.2192 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.85%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from York Water’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. York Water’s dividend payout ratio is currently 58.78%.

York Water Company Profile

The York Water Company impounds, purifies, and distributes drinking water. It owns and operates three wastewater collection systems; ten wastewater collection and treatment systems; and two reservoirs, including Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which hold approximately 2.2 billion gallons of water. The company also operates a 15-mile pipeline from the Susquehanna River to Lake Redman; and owns satellite groundwater systems in York, Adams, and Lancaster Counties, as well as two impounding dams on primary system located in York and Springfield Townships.