Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATR) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATR) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 87,200 shares, a decline of 24.0% from the November 15th total of 114,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 39,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.2 days. Approximately 0.6% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NATR has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Canaccord Genuity Group began coverage on shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products in a report on Friday, September 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $18.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group initiated coverage on shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products in a report on Friday, September 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $18.00 target price for the company.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Fosun Pharmaceutical Shanghai sold 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.39, for a total value of $40,170.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 69,347 shares in the company, valued at $928,556.33. This trade represents a 4.15 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 7,499 shares of company stock valued at $99,802. Corporate insiders own 4.70% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nature’s Sunshine Products

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 20,744 shares of the company’s stock worth $270,000 after buying an additional 856 shares during the last quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Nature’s Sunshine Products by 7.7% in the third quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 67,258 shares of the company’s stock valued at $916,000 after acquiring an additional 4,820 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Nature’s Sunshine Products by 8.3% in the second quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 70,338 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,060,000 after purchasing an additional 5,392 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products by 12.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 48,589 shares of the company’s stock valued at $732,000 after purchasing an additional 5,425 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in shares of Nature’s Sunshine Products by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 559,797 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,436,000 after purchasing an additional 10,700 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.40% of the company’s stock.

Nature’s Sunshine Products Price Performance

Nature’s Sunshine Products stock opened at $15.61 on Monday. Nature’s Sunshine Products has a one year low of $10.81 and a one year high of $21.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $288.47 million, a PE ratio of 17.74 and a beta of 0.93. The business’s fifty day moving average is $14.68 and its 200 day moving average is $14.55.

About Nature’s Sunshine Products

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc, a natural health and wellness company, manufactures and sells nutritional and personal care products in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and internationally. It offers general health products related to blood sugar support, bone health, cellular health, cognitive function, joint health, mood, sexual health, sleep, sports and energy, and vision.