Papa Johns International (NASDAQ:PZZA) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Time to Buy?

Shares of Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 4,071,310 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 145% from the previous session’s volume of 1,660,423 shares.The stock last traded at $52.18 and had previously closed at $43.31.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PZZA has been the topic of a number of research reports. Loop Capital dropped their price target on Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Papa Johns International from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Papa Johns International from $56.00 to $45.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $62.00 price target on shares of Papa Johns International in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Papa Johns International from $66.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $55.83.

Papa Johns International Stock Up 18.4 %

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $40.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.19.

Papa Johns International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be given a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.59%. Papa Johns International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 64.11%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Papa Johns International

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its holdings in Papa Johns International by 300.0% during the fourth quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 600 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in shares of Papa Johns International by 66.9% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 646 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Papa Johns International during the 3rd quarter worth $42,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Papa Johns International in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE raised its position in shares of Papa Johns International by 225.4% during the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,331 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 922 shares during the period.

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.