Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) Short Interest Up 46.5% in February

Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,510,000 shares, a growth of 46.5% from the January 31st total of 3,760,000 shares. Approximately 17.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,520,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.6 days.

Papa Johns International Stock Up 4.6 %

Shares of Papa Johns International stock traded up $2.06 on Tuesday, hitting $46.63. 898,520 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,823,580. Papa Johns International has a 1-year low of $35.28 and a 1-year high of $72.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $41.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.76.

Papa Johns International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. Papa Johns International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 73.02%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on PZZA shares. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $60.00 price objective on shares of Papa Johns International in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on Papa Johns International from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Loop Capital cut their price target on Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Wedbush reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of Papa Johns International in a report on Friday. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on Papa Johns International from $56.00 to $45.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Papa Johns International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $55.67.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in shares of Papa Johns International by 14.3% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 62,056 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,549,000 after acquiring an additional 7,784 shares during the period. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. increased its holdings in Papa Johns International by 8.3% in the fourth quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 1,117,238 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,885,000 after buying an additional 85,236 shares during the last quarter. Twinbeech Capital LP acquired a new position in Papa Johns International in the fourth quarter valued at $2,988,000. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in Papa Johns International by 247.0% in the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 163,720 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,724,000 after acquiring an additional 116,538 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming acquired a new position in Papa Johns International in the fourth quarter valued at $87,000.

Papa Johns International Company Profile

Papa John’s International, Inc engages in the operation and franchise of pizza delivery and carryout restaurants. It operates through the following segments: Domestic Company-owned Restaurants, North America Franchising, North America Commissaries, International Operations, and All Others. The Domestic Company-Owned Restaurants segment consists of retail sales of pizza and side items, breadsticks, cheese sticks, chicken poppers and wings, dessert items, and canned and bottled beverages.