USANA Health Sciences (NYSE:USNA) Shares Gap Up Following Earnings Beat

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NYSE:USNA)’s share price gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $31.96, but opened at $35.67. USANA Health Sciences shares last traded at $32.93, with a volume of 84,067 shares.

The company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $213.61 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $208.82 million. USANA Health Sciences had a return on equity of 10.64% and a net margin of 6.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of USANA Health Sciences from $35.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. StockNews.com lowered shares of USANA Health Sciences from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Sidoti lowered shares of USANA Health Sciences from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On USANA Health Sciences

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in USANA Health Sciences in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new position in shares of USANA Health Sciences in the third quarter worth about $30,000. KBC Group NV increased its position in shares of USANA Health Sciences by 96.6% in the third quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,056 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 519 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in shares of USANA Health Sciences in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $83,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of USANA Health Sciences in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $132,000. 54.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

USANA Health Sciences Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $632.26 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.87. The business’s 50 day moving average is $33.62 and its 200 day moving average is $36.61.

About USANA Health Sciences

USANA Health Sciences, Inc develops, manufactures, and sells science-based nutritional, personal care, and skincare products in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe. The company offers USANA nutritional products that comprise essentials/CellSentials, such as vitamin and mineral supplements that provide a foundation of total body nutrition for various age groups; optimizers consisting of targeted supplements that are designed to meet cardiovascular, skeletal/structural, and digestive health needs; and food that include meal replacement shakes, snack bars, and other related products.