Upbound Group (NASDAQ:UPBD) Stock Rating Lowered by Zacks Research

Upbound Group (NASDAQ:UPBD) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research firms have also commented on UPBD. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Upbound Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Upbound Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. BTIG Research reduced their price target on shares of Upbound Group from $40.00 to $28.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Upbound Group in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $32.25.

Upbound Group Stock Performance

Shares of UPBD stock opened at $20.31 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 3.16. The firm has a market cap of $1.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.01 and a beta of 1.88. Upbound Group has a 52 week low of $15.82 and a 52 week high of $30.20. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $18.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.94.

Insider Buying and Selling at Upbound Group

In other Upbound Group news, Director Jeffrey J. Brown acquired 2,502 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $17.68 per share, for a total transaction of $44,235.36. Following the acquisition, the director owned 92,972 shares in the company, valued at $1,643,744.96. The trade was a 2.77% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Upbound Group

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its stake in Upbound Group by 4.6% in the fourth quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 53,807 shares of the company’s stock worth $945,000 after purchasing an additional 2,372 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Upbound Group by 20.3% during the fourth quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 133,069 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,337,000 after buying an additional 22,449 shares during the last quarter. Bragg Financial Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Upbound Group by 12.1% in the fourth quarter. Bragg Financial Advisors Inc now owns 1,105,047 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,405,000 after buying an additional 119,158 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Upbound Group by 40.9% in the 4th quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 19,203 shares of the company’s stock valued at $337,000 after acquiring an additional 5,577 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Upbound Group by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 124,928 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,194,000 after acquiring an additional 20,918 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.30% of the company’s stock.

Upbound Group Company Profile

Upbound Group, Inc leases household durable goods to customers on a lease-to-own basis in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. It operates through four segments: Rent-A-Center, Acima, Mexico, and Franchising. The company's brands, such as Rent-A-Center and Acima that facilitate consumer transactions across a range of store-based and virtual channels. It offers furniture comprising mattresses, tires, consumer electronics, appliances, tools, handbags, computers, smartphones, and accessories.