Short Interest in Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI) Drops By 27.5%

Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totaling 15,280,000 shares, a decline of 27.5% from the September 30th total of 21,090,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 6,270,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days. Currently, 7.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 7.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 6,270,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days.

Bath & Body Works Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of NYSE:BBWI traded down $0.26 on Monday, hitting $24.22. 6,598,614 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,520,548. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.52. Bath & Body Works has a 1-year low of $23.49 and a 1-year high of $41.87. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $26.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $28.96.

Bath & Body Works (NYSE:BBWI) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 28th. The company reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.37. Bath & Body Works had a negative return on equity of 48.43% and a net margin of 9.88%.The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.55 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.37 earnings per share. Bath & Body Works’s revenue for the quarter was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. Bath & Body Works has set its Q3 2025 guidance at 0.370-0.45 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.350-3.600 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Bath & Body Works will post 3.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bath & Body Works Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 22nd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 22nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. Bath & Body Works’s payout ratio is presently 23.74%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on BBWI. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Bath & Body Works from $36.00 to $32.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $38.00 target price on shares of Bath & Body Works in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Bath & Body Works in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Bath & Body Works from $32.00 to $28.50 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Bath & Body Works from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $36.39.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bath & Body Works

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. IFM Investors Pty Ltd purchased a new position in Bath & Body Works during the first quarter worth approximately $1,314,000. Amundi raised its position in Bath & Body Works by 382.1% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 174,951 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,872,000 after acquiring an additional 138,664 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Bath & Body Works during the first quarter valued at $23,273,000. Voya Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Bath & Body Works by 180.5% during the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 110,405 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,347,000 after purchasing an additional 71,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Shellback Capital LP raised its position in shares of Bath & Body Works by 67.0% during the 1st quarter. Shellback Capital LP now owns 668,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,254,000 after purchasing an additional 268,000 shares during the last quarter. 95.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works, Inc is a specialty retailers and home to America’s Favorite Fragrances, offering a breadth of exclusive fragrances for the body and home, including the selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap.