VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 24,980,000 shares, a decrease of 15.2% from the December 31st total of 29,470,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 6,310,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.0 days. Currently, 6.8% of the company’s shares are sold short.

VF Price Performance

VFC stock traded down $0.95 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $25.99. 5,502,368 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,107,785. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.84, a PEG ratio of 10.01 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 0.88. VF has a 12 month low of $11.00 and a 12 month high of $29.02. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $22.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.83.

VF (NYSE:VFC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The textile maker reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.28. VF had a negative net margin of 4.63% and a positive return on equity of 15.35%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.57 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that VF will post 0.48 EPS for the current year.

VF Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be issued a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.39%. VF’s dividend payout ratio is currently -30.25%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On VF

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new stake in shares of VF during the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. CKW Financial Group boosted its position in VF by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. CKW Financial Group now owns 2,200 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its holdings in VF by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 6,017 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $129,000 after acquiring an additional 3,008 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of VF in the second quarter valued at about $241,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of VF by 1,917.1% during the third quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 12,627 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 12,001 shares during the last quarter. 86.84% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on VFC. Barclays increased their price target on VF from $29.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on VF from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on VF from $17.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday. Truist Financial reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $24.00 price objective (up previously from $20.00) on shares of VF in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on shares of VF from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $22.47.

About VF

VF Corp. engages in the business of producing and marketing apparel, footwear, and accessories. It operates through the following segments: Outdoor, Active, Work, and Other. The Outdoor segment includes authentic outdoor-based lifestyle brands such as performance-based and outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment.