National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE) Hits New 52-Week High on Earnings Beat

National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE)’s share price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $16.86 and last traded at $16.68, with a volume of 5681145 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $15.61.

The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. National Vision had a positive return on equity of 3.52% and a negative net margin of 0.81%. The firm had revenue of $510.32 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $510.30 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.32 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of National Vision from $12.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Bank of America raised National Vision from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup raised National Vision from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $13.00 to $21.00 in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of National Vision from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of National Vision from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, National Vision currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $17.14.

Institutional Trading of National Vision

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in National Vision by 309.2% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,906 shares of the company’s stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 3,707 shares during the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. raised its position in National Vision by 4.0% during the fourth quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 28,676 shares of the company’s stock valued at $298,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Vision during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in National Vision by 15.6% in the fourth quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 27,478 shares of the company’s stock valued at $286,000 after buying an additional 3,705 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of National Vision by 16.5% in the 4th quarter. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC now owns 17,511 shares of the company’s stock valued at $182,000 after purchasing an additional 2,475 shares in the last quarter.

National Vision Trading Up 2.9 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.57. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $12.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $11.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -85.85, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 1.02.

National Vision Company Profile

National Vision Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an optical retailer in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Owned & Host and Legacy. It offers eyeglasses and contact lenses, and optical accessory products; provides eye exams through its America’s Best, Eyeglass World, Vista Optical, Fred Meyer, and Vista Optical military, as well as Vision Center branded stores; and offers health maintenance organization and optometric services.