Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) Short Interest Update

Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 92,300 shares, a growth of 21.8% from the December 15th total of 75,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 28,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.3 days. Currently, 1.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Escalade Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ESCA traded up $0.23 during trading on Friday, reaching $15.00. 14,828 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 22,866. The firm has a market cap of $208.20 million, a PE ratio of 15.96 and a beta of 1.27. Escalade has a fifty-two week low of $12.34 and a fifty-two week high of $20.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 3.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.16.

Escalade Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 6th were given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.00%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, January 6th. Escalade’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.83%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Escalade from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ESCA. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Escalade in the 3rd quarter worth $166,000. Barclays PLC increased its stake in shares of Escalade by 251.3% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 13,185 shares of the company’s stock worth $186,000 after purchasing an additional 9,432 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Escalade by 301.6% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 18,914 shares of the company’s stock worth $266,000 after purchasing an additional 14,204 shares during the last quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Escalade by 40.6% in the 3rd quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,975 shares of the company’s stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 6,059 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Escalade by 195.4% in the 3rd quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 43,092 shares of the company’s stock valued at $606,000 after buying an additional 28,503 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.22% of the company’s stock.

About Escalade

Escalade, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, imports, and sells sporting goods in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company provides various sporting goods brands in basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation, and fitness products.