Short Interest in The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) Increases By 53.3%

The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 14,550,000 shares, an increase of 53.3% from the January 31st total of 9,490,000 shares. Approximately 8.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,540,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.2 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on WEN shares. Wedbush lifted their target price on shares of Wendy’s from $15.50 to $16.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $14.00 price objective (down from $22.00) on shares of Wendy’s in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Argus upgraded Wendy’s to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Barclays cut their price target on Wendy’s from $17.00 to $16.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $15.00 price objective on shares of Wendy’s in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $18.42.

Wendy’s Price Performance

NASDAQ:WEN opened at $14.93 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.99 billion, a PE ratio of 15.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.77. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $15.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.83, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.48. Wendy’s has a 12 month low of $13.72 and a 12 month high of $20.65.

Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The restaurant operator reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $574.27 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $564.17 million. Wendy’s had a return on equity of 75.56% and a net margin of 8.65%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Wendy’s will post 0.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wendy’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.70%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Wendy’s’s dividend payout ratio is presently 105.26%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wendy’s

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Wendy’s by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 92,132 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,614,000 after buying an additional 590 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Wendy’s by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 25,529 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $416,000 after purchasing an additional 717 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its holdings in Wendy’s by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 57,400 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $979,000 after purchasing an additional 797 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its position in Wendy’s by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 15,634 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $255,000 after purchasing an additional 897 shares during the period. Finally, Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Wendy’s by 46.4% in the 4th quarter. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,107 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 985 shares during the last quarter. 85.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Wendy’s

The Wendy’s Co engages in operating, developing, and franchising a system of quick-service restaurants. It offers hamburgers and related products, such as chicken breast sandwiches, nuggets, chili, and baked potatoes, French fries, freshly prepared salads, soft drinks, milk, coffee, frosty deserts, and kid’s meals.