WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE:WNS) Short Interest Down 13.6% in February

WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE:WNS) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 2,040,000 shares, a decrease of 13.6% from the February 13th total of 2,360,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 496,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.1 days. Approximately 5.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Institutional Trading of WNS

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in WNS in the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of WNS by 65.0% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,397 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $208,000 after acquiring an additional 1,732 shares in the last quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA purchased a new stake in shares of WNS during the fourth quarter worth $213,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in WNS by 35.0% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 5,134 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 1,331 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of WNS by 18.1% during the 4th quarter. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,261 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $249,000 after purchasing an additional 805 shares in the last quarter. 97.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WNS Stock Up 1.8 %

NYSE:WNS traded up $1.17 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $64.67. 69,651 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 499,306. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $56.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.63. The firm has a market cap of $2.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.57, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.22. WNS has a fifty-two week low of $39.85 and a fifty-two week high of $65.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

WNS (NYSE:WNS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The business services provider reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.04 by ($0.15). WNS had a return on equity of 22.25% and a net margin of 10.03%. Equities research analysts anticipate that WNS will post 3.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of WNS from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of WNS from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Needham & Company LLC increased their price objective on WNS from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on WNS from $58.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $61.63.

WNS Company Profile

WNS (Holdings) Limited, a business process management (BPM) company, provides data, voice, analytical, and business transformation services worldwide. The company operates through TSLU, MRHP, HCLS, and BFSI segments. It engages in diversified business, including manufacturing, retail, consumer packaged goods, media and entertainment, and telecommunication; travel and leisure, utilities, shipping, and logistics; healthcare and life sciences; banking, financial services, and insurance; and Hi-tech and professional services, as well as procurement.