Short Interest in Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) Drops By 30.9%

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Papa Johns International

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its holdings 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 valued at $2,549,000 after acquiring an additional 7,784 shares in the last quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 85,236 shares in the last quarter. Twinbeech Capital LP bought a new stake in shares of Papa Johns International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,988,000. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its holdings in shares of Papa Johns International by 247.0% during 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 bought a new stake in shares of Papa Johns International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $87,000.

Papa Johns International Stock Up 8.2 %

NASDAQ PZZA opened at $46.91 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $1.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.16. Papa Johns International has a 52 week low of $35.28 and a 52 week high of $72.23. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $42.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $46.68.

Papa Johns International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were issued 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 dividend yield of 3.92%. Papa Johns International’s dividend payout ratio is 73.02%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on PZZA. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Papa Johns International from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Northcoast Research upgraded Papa Johns International to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Papa Johns International in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. 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. Finally, Loop Capital lowered their target price on Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. 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.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $55.67.

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.