Short Interest in DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) Rises By 9.3%

DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,600,000 shares, a growth of 9.3% from the January 15th total of 4,210,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,190,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.9 days. Currently, 8.3% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Edward W. Stack sold 160,600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $229.25, for a total transaction of $36,817,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 8,362,128 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,917,017,844. This represents a 1.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lawrence J. Schorr sold 7,333 shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $231.55, for a total transaction of $1,697,956.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 50,997 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,808,355.35. This trade represents a 12.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 172,933 shares of company stock worth $39,655,456. 32.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On DICK’S Sporting Goods

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Kerusso Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,554,000. National Pension Service bought a new position in DICK’S Sporting Goods during the 3rd quarter worth $4,195,000. Marion Wealth Management acquired a new stake in DICK’S Sporting Goods in the fourth quarter worth $545,000. Strategy Asset Managers LLC bought a new stake in DICK’S Sporting Goods in the third quarter valued at $4,325,000. Finally, Argus Investors Counsel Inc. acquired a new position in shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods during the fourth quarter valued at $257,000. Institutional investors own 89.83% of the company’s stock.

DICK’S Sporting Goods Price Performance

DKS opened at $237.98 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 1.72. DICK’S Sporting Goods has a 1-year low of $165.31 and a 1-year high of $254.60. The company has a 50-day moving average of $232.10 and a 200-day moving average of $218.39. The company has a market capitalization of $19.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.01, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.57.

DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 26th. The sporting goods retailer reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.68 by $0.07. DICK’S Sporting Goods had a return on equity of 42.00% and a net margin of 8.65%. The firm had revenue of $3.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.85 earnings per share. DICK’S Sporting Goods’s revenue for the quarter was up .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that DICK’S Sporting Goods will post 13.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

DICK’S Sporting Goods Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th were given a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. DICK’S Sporting Goods’s payout ratio is currently 31.45%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on DKS. Argus lifted their target price on DICK’S Sporting Goods from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on DICK’S Sporting Goods from $270.00 to $294.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods from $245.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Wedbush reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $215.00 price target (down from $250.00) on shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $260.00 price objective on shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $248.09.

DICK’S Sporting Goods Company Profile

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc engages in the retailing of an extensive assortment of authentic sports equipment, apparel, footwear, and accessories. It also offers its products both online and through mobile applications. The company was founded by Richard T. Stack in 1948 and is headquartered in Coraopolis, PA.