Short Interest in COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP) Grows By 27.5%
by Scott Moore · The Cerbat GemCOPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP – Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 5,559,554 shares, an increase of 27.5% from the January 29th total of 4,360,888 shares. Currently, 5.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,484,045 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,484,045 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.7 days. Currently, 5.0% of the shares of the company are short sold.
COPT Defense Properties Stock Up 1.5%
NYSE:CDP opened at $32.65 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $3.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.19 and a beta of 0.86. COPT Defense Properties has a twelve month low of $23.92 and a twelve month high of $32.82. The company has a current ratio of 3.95, a quick ratio of 3.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $30.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.62.
COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $197.36 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $188.79 million. COPT Defense Properties had a net margin of 19.94% and a return on equity of 9.82%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.65 earnings per share. COPT Defense Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.710-2.790 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.670-0.690 EPS. Analysts anticipate that COPT Defense Properties will post 2.67 EPS for the current year.
COPT Defense Properties Increases Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. This is a positive change from COPT Defense Properties’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.9%. COPT Defense Properties’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 90.37%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
CDP has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of COPT Defense Properties in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of COPT Defense Properties from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on COPT Defense Properties from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of COPT Defense Properties from $29.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Evercore restated an “outperform” rating on shares of COPT Defense Properties in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $33.88.
Insider Buying and Selling at COPT Defense Properties
In related news, Director Philip L. Hawkins sold 5,536 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.71, for a total value of $181,082.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 15,188 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $496,799.48. This trade represents a 26.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.42% of the company’s stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On COPT Defense Properties
Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Financial Consulate Inc. purchased a new position in shares of COPT Defense Properties during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of COPT Defense Properties by 1,176.5% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,685 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,553 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of COPT Defense Properties by 31.2% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,973 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Optima Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of COPT Defense Properties in the fourth quarter worth about $63,000.
About COPT Defense Properties
COPT Defense Properties (NYSE: CDP) is a real estate investment trust organized to own, lease and manage healthcare and life science facilities serving the United States federal government, with a particular focus on Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs tenants. The company was formed in 2016 through a spin-off from Corporate Office Properties Trust, enabling it to concentrate exclusively on medical office buildings and specialized research facilities situated on or near military and federal research campuses.
The company’s portfolio comprises purpose-built, Class A medical office and outpatient specialty clinics, as well as life science laboratories.