Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT) have received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, five have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $15.25.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Krispy Kreme from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Krispy Kreme from $14.00 to $12.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Krispy Kreme from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th.

Krispy Kreme Trading Up 6.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ:DNUT opened at $9.11 on Wednesday. Krispy Kreme has a 12 month low of $8.34 and a 12 month high of $17.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $9.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.44. The firm has a market cap of $1.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.59, a PEG ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 1.34.

Krispy Kreme Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 7th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.035 per share. This represents a $0.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 23rd. Krispy Kreme’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 82.35%.

Institutional Trading of Krispy Kreme

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DNUT. Spartan Fund Management Inc. raised its position in Krispy Kreme by 150.0% during the fourth quarter. Spartan Fund Management Inc. now owns 5,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in Krispy Kreme during the third quarter worth $51,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new stake in Krispy Kreme during the fourth quarter worth $71,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Krispy Kreme by 28.3% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 8,064 shares of the company’s stock valued at $87,000 after purchasing an additional 1,779 shares during the period. Finally, First Hawaiian Bank bought a new position in shares of Krispy Kreme in the fourth quarter valued at about $111,000. 81.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces doughnuts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S., International, and Market Development. The company offers doughnut experiences through hot light theater and fresh shops, delivered fresh daily branded cabinets and merchandising units within grocery and convenience stores, quick service restaurants, club memberships, drug stores, and ecommerce, as well as through its branded sweet treat line comprising Krispy Kreme branded sweet treats.