Innospec Inc. (NASDAQ:IOSP) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

by · The Cerbat Gem

Innospec Inc. (NASDAQ:IOSP – Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 383,909 shares, a growth of 28.9% from the January 29th total of 297,899 shares. Approximately 1.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 195,715 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 195,715 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Approximately 1.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Innospec Stock Performance

NASDAQ:IOSP traded up $0.65 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $77.02. The stock had a trading volume of 196,599 shares, compared to its average volume of 213,975. The business’s 50 day moving average is $81.05 and its 200-day moving average is $79.07. The company has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.90. Innospec has a one year low of $70.10 and a one year high of $102.25.

Innospec (NASDAQ:IOSP – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 17th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.24. Innospec had a net margin of 6.56% and a return on equity of 10.18%. The business had revenue of $455.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $460.87 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.41 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Innospec will post 6.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP David B. Jones sold 1,028 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.64, for a total transaction of $77,757.92. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 14,693 shares in the company, valued at $1,111,378.52. This represents a 6.54% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director David Landless sold 594 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.56, for a total transaction of $45,476.64. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $584,305.92. This represents a 7.22% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,989 shares of company stock valued at $391,889. 1.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Western Standard LLC raised its holdings in shares of Innospec by 894.0% during the fourth quarter. Western Standard LLC now owns 268,367 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $20,541,000 after acquiring an additional 241,367 shares during the period. Medina Value Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Innospec in the 3rd quarter valued at about $18,206,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Innospec by 71.6% in the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 484,968 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $37,119,000 after purchasing an additional 202,325 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Innospec by 8,176.5% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 170,414 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $16,147,000 after purchasing an additional 168,355 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Innospec during the fourth quarter worth about $10,654,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.64% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on IOSP. Zacks Research lowered Innospec from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Wall Street Zen raised Innospec from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, December 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Innospec from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Thursday, February 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

View Our Latest Analysis on Innospec

Trending Headlines about Innospec

Here are the key news stories impacting Innospec this week:

  • Positive Sentiment: Large institutional accumulation reported — Western Standard, Goldman Sachs, Millennium Management and Norges Bank all increased or initiated positions, signalling heavy institutional demand that can support the share price. Institutional Ownership and Activity
  • Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest update published; this doesn’t change fundamentals but could amplify moves if short positions cover or build. Short Interest Update
  • Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage is mixed — upgrades from some boutique services offset by a Zacks downgrade; MarketBeat shows a consensus tilt toward “Reduce,” which may limit upside until guidance or fundamentals improve. Analyst Ratings
  • Negative Sentiment: SVP David B. Jones sold 1,028 shares at an average $75.64 (~$77.8k); his stake declined ~6.5% — insider selling can be perceived negatively by the market. David B. Jones Sale
  • Negative Sentiment: Director David Landless sold 594 shares at $76.56 (~$45.5k); his holding dropped ~7.2%. David Landless SEC Filing
  • Negative Sentiment: Director Larry Padfield sold 594 shares at $76.56 (~$45.5k); his stake declined ~5.9%. Larry Padfield Sale
  • Negative Sentiment: Director Milton C. Blackmore sold 594 shares at $76.56 (~$45.5k); position down ~5.3%. Milton C. Blackmore Sale
  • Negative Sentiment: Director Claudia Poccia sold 119 shares at $76.56 (~$9.1k); a smaller, but additional insider sale disclosed via SEC filing. Claudia Poccia SEC Filing

Innospec Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Innospec Incorporated (NASDAQ: IOSP) is a global specialty chemicals company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The company operates through three principal business segments: Fuel Specialties, Oilfield Services, and Performance Chemicals. In the Fuel Specialties segment, Innospec develops and supplies additives designed to enhance octane levels, improve combustion efficiency, reduce emissions and prevent deposit formation in gasoline and diesel engines. Its Oilfield Services division provides chemical technologies—such as surfactants, corrosion inhibitors and demulsifiers—to support exploration, drilling, production optimization and enhanced oil recovery operations.

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