Sapiens International (NASDAQ:SPNS) Sees Large Volume Increase – Should You Buy?

Sapiens International Co. (NASDAQ:SPNS) saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 348,303 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 58% from the previous session’s volume of 220,127 shares.The stock last traded at $26.11 and had previously closed at $25.69.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Needham & Company LLC cut their price objective on shares of Sapiens International from $44.00 to $35.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. William Blair reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of Sapiens International in a research note on Friday, December 6th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Sapiens International from $38.00 to $30.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Sapiens International from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Sapiens International presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $36.00.

Sapiens International Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $1.48 billion, a PE ratio of 20.84 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 2.18 and a current ratio of 2.18. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $27.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $33.22.

Sapiens International (NASDAQ:SPNS) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 11th. The technology company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.01). Sapiens International had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 17.61%. The firm had revenue of $137.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $140.10 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.32 earnings per share. Sapiens International’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Sapiens International Co. will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sapiens International

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new stake in shares of Sapiens International in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Sapiens International by 171.2% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,356 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 856 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its position in Sapiens International by 57.9% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 1,945 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $72,000 after acquiring an additional 713 shares in the last quarter. MQS Management LLC acquired a new position in Sapiens International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $230,000. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Sapiens International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $231,000. 30.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Sapiens International

Sapiens International Corporation N.V. provides software solutions for the insurance industry in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company provides various solutions for property and casualty commercial and personal lines, life and pensions, and reinsurance fields.