Moodys (NYSE:MCO) Stock

MOODY'S CORP

Moodys

Moody's

Moody's, along with S&P Ratings, is a leading provider of credit ratings on fixed-income securities. The ratings segment, Moody's Investors Service, includes corporates, structured finance, financial institutions, and public finance ratings. MIS represents a majority of the firm's profit and about half the firm's revenue. The other segment, Moody's Analytics, consists of decision solutions, research and insights, and data and information.

Moodys Corp

MCO - United States Dollar

Moss Carbon Credit - United States Dollar

MARIJUANA CO OF AMER INC by Marijuana Company of America, Inc.

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Shares of companies within the broader financial sector are trading lower in response to President Trump's sweeping Liberation tariffs and retaliatory responses. The sector is now facing greater macroeconomic uncertainty and recession fears.

Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) underwent analysis by 7 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $516.71, a high estimate of $540.00, and a low estimate of $481.00. Observing a 4.42% increase, the current average has risen from the previous average price target of $494.83. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743775267_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
The standing of Moodys among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Manav Patnaik</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$520.00</td>
<td>$570.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sean Kennedy</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$504.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Silber</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$531.00</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alex Kramm</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$540.00</td>
<td>$510.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shlomo Rosenbaum</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$533.00</td>
<td>$459.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Toni Kaplan</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$508.00</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Silber</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
<td>$468.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Moodys. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Moodys compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Moodys's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Moodys's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCO/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Moodys analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About Moodys</h2>
Moody's, along with S&amp;P Ratings, is a leading provider of credit ratings on fixed-income securities. The ratings segment, Moody's Investors Service, includes corporates, structured finance, financial institutions, and public finance ratings. MIS represents a majority of the firm's profit and about half the firm's revenue. The other segment, Moody's Analytics, consists of decision solutions, research and insights, and data and information.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: Moodys's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position.
Revenue Growth: Moodys's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 12.97%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: Moodys's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 23.62%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 10.58%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Moodys's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.53%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: Moodys's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 2.17, the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Ratings

Expert Outlook: Moodys Through The Eyes Of 7 Analysts

Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik maintains Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $570 to $520.

News

Price Target

Barclays Maintains Overweight on Moodys, Lowers Price Target to $520

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Shares of capital market companies are trading lower as markets react to President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs.

Moodys's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) short percent of float has risen 11.36% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.05 million shares sold short, which is 1.96% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.93 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Moodys Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743442221_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Moodys has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Moodys's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Moodys's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.48%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

Is the Market Bullish or Bearish on Moodys?

Many investors start their journey toward financial security with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44486348/58-year-old-with-3m-portfolio-makes-bold-retirement-move-i-want-to-test-it-out-before-i-actually-retire-with-1m-in-dividend-stocks">stocks</a>, and a successful investing strategy involves considering the risks, adapting, and thinking about the long-term rewards.
For some, a well-balanced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44519403/a-new-investor-shares-his-dividend-portfolio-that-earns-206-year-on-reddit-wondering-if-this-is-a-solid-set-up">portfolio</a> contains stocks, bonds, and small-cap investments, while for others, a mix of international stocks and ETFs is a favorite approach since it offers broader diversification. Either way, a combo of these assets ensures both growth and protection against a market downturn and is a great strategy for those unwilling to risk their money unnecessarily.
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A 30-year-old investor with a $65,000 portfolio has taken to Reddit to ask how to strike that balance in his portfolio. Primarily invested in Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), he also holds individual stocks like NVIDIA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), but plans to exit them soon.
&#8220;I am planning to change the composition moving forward and adding [Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vxus#NASDAQ">VXUS</a>)] (International exposure ETF), [iShares Core S&amp;P Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ijr#NYSE">IJR</a>)] (Small-cap stocks ETF), and [Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ: BND] (Bonds exposure) along with my VOO and QQQ. I like it boring for my risk profile,&#8221; he said.
The poster&#8217;s main goal is long-term growth, but he&#8217;s open to feedback on improving diversification and managing risk. The r/Portfolios community has shared its thoughts in the comments, so let&#8217;s see those.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Diversify a $65,000 Portfolio? Reddit Debates Possible Low-Risk Options</h2>
Overexposure to Large-Cap Growth Stocks Isn&#8217;t a Good Idea
Several Redditors pointed out that VOO and QQQ heavily overlap, meaning the investor&#8217;s portfolio is not as diversified as he thinks.
&#8220;You&#8217;re just long all the same s&#8211;t, large-cap equities. You want multiple return streams in case large-cap equities have a drawdown. If you work a job, own a house, and own equities, you are triple long on the same bet that would destroy you as all are affected by a recession,&#8221; a commenter says.
A Redditor pointed out that a mix of large-cap stocks isn&#8217;t a complete retirement portfolio, and suggested other assets to balance it.
&#8220;Large-cap U.S. stocks can be a great investment, but they&#8217;re not a complete retirement portfolio. Other assets should be included, such as smaller-cap U.S. stocks, international stocks, and bonds,&#8221; the Redditor wrote.
While not against big tech, this commenter recommended the poster add non-tech exposure in his portfolio.
&#8220;I don't see picking high-quality companies that are in the index as redundant, you're overweighting the highest quality companies in the index and which drive its returns. I would look for maybe one high-quality non-big tech name. I love the credit rating agencies (S&amp;P and [Moody's (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mco#NYSE">MCO</a>)]), but there are others, the three large credit card companies too,&#8221; he said.
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Stick to Index Funds
Many advised the investor to drop the individual stocks he holds since they're already covered in VOO and QQQ, creating unnecessary concentration.
&#8220;Remove all redundancies and focus on VOO (almost everything you own is in VOO),&#8221; a Reddit user suggested.
&#8220;Good that you&#8217;re making an effort to invest, but there&#8217;s a lot of redundancy here. The Mag 7 already makes up a huge portion of VOO, why do you feel that you need to be even more extended in those stocks? If you really want to stock-pick on the side, I&#8217;d recommend focusing on lesser-known stocks (not penny stocks) that aren&#8217;t heavily weighted in the S&amp;P 500 (preferably not in it at all),&#8221; a commenter advised.
Reinforcing the idea that stock-picking isn&#8217;t adding value if the stocks are already in the ETF he has, this Redditor suggested the poster go all in in VOO or diversify more.
&#8220;I&#8217;d diversify some. VOO's major holdings are already included in the individual stocks you're holding. Might as well go more into VOO (and keep [Amazon (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amzn#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)] if you&#8217;re still really bullish on them),&#8221; he said.
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<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
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Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 8.91% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 20.06%. Currently, Moodys has a market capitalization of $84.47 billion. 
Buying $1000 In MCO: If an investor had bought $1000 of MCO stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $15,368.70 today based on a price of $468.50 for MCO at the time of writing.
<h3>Moodys's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742834708_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Moodys Stock In The Last 15 Years

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Shares of several banking and broader financial stocks are trading higher in sympathy with overall market sentiment after the Fed policy decision to keep rates unchanged.

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>HOOD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$27.0K</td>
<td>19.6K</td>
<td>12.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$43.0K</td>
<td>10.4K</td>
<td>3.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SOFI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/28/25</td>
<td>$11.00</td>
<td>$25.6K</td>
<td>3.9K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CME</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
<td>$104.4K</td>
<td>479</td>
<td>684</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AFRM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/28/25</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$34.9K</td>
<td>123</td>
<td>603</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$73.0K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>445</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/11/25</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$28.5K</td>
<td>128</td>
<td>325</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XYZ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$47.50</td>
<td>$76.7K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td>216</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$550.00</td>
<td>$25.4K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>114</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$450.00</td>
<td>$34.0K</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>86</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding HOOD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $40.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.0K, with a price of $270.0 per contract. There were 19685 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 12007 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BAC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 500 contract(s) at a $41.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $43.0K, with a price of $86.0 per contract. There were 10410 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3104 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SOFI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 11 day(s) on March 28, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1600 contract(s) at a $11.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.6K, with a price of $16.0 per contract. There were 3974 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2660 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CME (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CME#NASDAQ">CME</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 186 day(s) on September 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 81 contract(s) at a $260.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $104.4K, with a price of $1290.0 per contract. There were 479 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 684 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AFRM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 11 day(s) on March 28, 2025. Parties traded 167 contract(s) at a $45.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.9K, with a price of $209.0 per contract. There were 123 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 603 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding C (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 60 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $73.0K, with a price of $365.0 per contract. There were 1569 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 445 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UPST (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPST#NASDAQ">UPST</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 25 day(s) on April 11, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $55.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.5K, with a price of $285.0 per contract. There were 128 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 325 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding XYZ (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 186 day(s) on September 19, 2025. Parties traded 216 contract(s) at a $47.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 9 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $76.7K, with a price of $355.0 per contract. There were 1740 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 216 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding GS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 33 contract(s) at a $550.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.4K, with a price of $770.0 per contract. There were 1167 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 114 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MCO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>), we observe a put option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 31 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 31 contract(s) at a $450.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 20 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.0K, with a price of $1140.0 per contract. There were 54 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 86 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

AFRM

UPST

10 Financials Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

In the last three months, 8 analysts have published ratings on Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Moodys, presenting an average target of $525.88, a high estimate of $565.00, and a low estimate of $481.00. Marking an increase of 7.25%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $490.33. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741780815_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Moodys. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sean Kennedy</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$504.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Silber</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$531.00</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alex Kramm</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$540.00</td>
<td>$510.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shlomo Rosenbaum</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$533.00</td>
<td>$459.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Toni Kaplan</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$508.00</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Silber</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
<td>$468.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Owen Lau</td>
<td>Oppenheimer</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$545.00</td>
<td>$543.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Christiansen</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$565.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Moodys. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Moodys compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Moodys's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Moodys's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCO/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Moodys analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Moodys</h2>
Moody's, along with S&amp;P Ratings, is a leading provider of credit ratings on fixed-income securities. The ratings segment, Moody's Investors Service, includes corporates, structured finance, financial institutions, and public finance ratings. MIS represents a majority of the firm's profit and about half the firm's revenue. The other segment, Moody's Analytics, consists of decision solutions, research and insights, and data and information.
<h3>Financial Milestones: Moodys's Journey</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Moodys displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 12.97%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: Moodys's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 23.62%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Moodys's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 10.58%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.53%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, Moodys faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Forecasting The Future: 8 Analyst Projections For Moodys

Mizuho analyst Sean Kennedy initiates coverage on Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) with a Neutral rating and announces Price Target of $504.

Initiation

Mizuho Initiates Coverage On Moodys with Neutral Rating, Announces Price Target of $504

Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 4.5% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.52%. Currently, Moodys has a market capitalization of $79.93 billion. 
Buying $100 In MCO: If an investor had bought $100 of MCO stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $1,057.29 today based on a price of $443.27 for MCO at the time of writing.
<h3>Moodys's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741705214_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 20 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Moodys's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) short percent of float has risen 19.42% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.91 million shares sold short, which is 1.23% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.98 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Moodys Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741373116_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Moodys has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Moodys's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Moodys's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.81%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Peering Into Moodys's Recent Short Interest

Shares of banking and financial services stocks are trading lower amid overall market weakness on rising yields and trade uncertainty.

AGMH

BENF

CNCK

FITB

LGHL

MSCI

Shares of companies within the broader financial sector are trading lower amid President Trump's decision to implement tariffs.

Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 9.73% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 21.78%. Currently, Moodys has a market capitalization of $92.25 billion. 
Buying $100 In MCO: If an investor had bought $100 of MCO stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $1,904.77 today based on a price of $511.62 for MCO at the time of writing.
<h3>Moodys's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740093309_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In Moodys 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

During the last three months, 8 analysts shared their evaluations of Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>), revealing diverse outlooks from bullish to bearish.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $523.0, with a high estimate of $565.00 and a low estimate of $481.00. This current average has increased by 7.55% from the previous average price target of $486.29. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739912451_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
The perception of Moodys by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Silber</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$531.00</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alex Kramm</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$540.00</td>
<td>$510.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shlomo Rosenbaum</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$533.00</td>
<td>$459.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Toni Kaplan</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$508.00</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Silber</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
<td>$468.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Owen Lau</td>
<td>Oppenheimer</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$545.00</td>
<td>$543.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Christiansen</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$565.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Toni Kaplan</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$481.00</td>
<td>$462.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Moodys. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Moodys compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Moodys's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Moodys's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCO/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Moodys analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Moodys's Background</h2>
Moody's, along with S&amp;P Ratings, is a leading provider of credit ratings on fixed-income securities. The ratings segment, Moody's Investors Service, includes corporates, structured finance, financial institutions, and public finance ratings. MIS represents a majority of the firm's profit and about half the firm's revenue. The other segment, Moody's Analytics, consists of decision solutions, research and insights, and data and information.
<h3>Moodys's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
Market Capitalization: Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Moodys displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 23.17%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: Moodys's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 29.45%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Moodys's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 13.9%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 3.47%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: Moodys's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 2.03. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/turning-point-trader-checkout-2/?t=Tu1tu3arja3be22tu36&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for urgent details</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

8 Analysts Assess Moodys: What You Need To Know

BMO Capital analyst Jeffrey Silber maintains Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) with a Market Perform and raises the price target from $481 to $531.

BMO Capital Maintains Market Perform on Moodys, Raises Price Target to $531

UBS analyst Alex Kramm maintains Moodys (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $510 to $540.

UBS Maintains Neutral on Moodys, Raises Price Target to $540

Moodys's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCO#NYSE">MCO</a>) short percent of float has fallen 14.17% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.61 million shares sold short, which is 1.03% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.66 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Moodys Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739557817_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Moodys has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Moodys's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Moodys's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.31%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

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