Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) saw a significant decrease in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 3,810,000 shares, a decrease of 30.9% from the February 13th total of 5,510,000 shares. Approximately 11.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,560,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.4 days.

Papa Johns International Price Performance

NASDAQ PZZA traded up $3.74 during trading on Monday, reaching $47.10. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 574,682 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,699,041. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.54 billion, a PE ratio of 16.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.16. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $42.49 and a 200 day moving average of $46.68. Papa Johns International has a one year low of $35.28 and a one year high of $72.23.

Papa Johns International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.91%. Papa Johns International’s payout ratio is presently 73.02%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on PZZA shares. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Papa Johns International to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Papa Johns International from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. UBS Group reduced their target price on Papa Johns International from $56.00 to $45.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Loop Capital lowered their price target on shares of Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Wedbush reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $60.00 price objective on shares of Papa Johns International in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Papa Johns International has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $55.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Papa Johns International

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Papa Johns International by 14.3% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. boosted its position in Papa Johns International by 8.3% during 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 period. Twinbeech Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Papa Johns International during the fourth quarter valued at about $2,988,000. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its holdings in shares of Papa Johns International by 247.0% in the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 163,720 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,724,000 after buying an additional 116,538 shares during the period. Finally, State of Wyoming purchased a new stake in Papa Johns International during the 4th quarter valued at about $87,000.

About Papa Johns International

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.