Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATH) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATH) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 24,600 shares, an increase of 50.9% from the January 31st total of 16,300 shares. Approximately 0.9% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 13,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Nathan’s Famous from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th.

Nathan’s Famous Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of NATH stock traded down $1.00 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $100.91. 8,941 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,928. Nathan’s Famous has a fifty-two week low of $64.02 and a fifty-two week high of $104.96. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $85.22 and its 200-day moving average is $83.40. The company has a market cap of $412.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.40 and a beta of 0.25.

Nathan’s Famous (NASDAQ:NATH) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The restaurant operator reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter. Nathan’s Famous had a negative return on equity of 96.05% and a net margin of 16.19%.

Nathan’s Famous Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.98%. Nathan’s Famous’s payout ratio is 34.48%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nathan’s Famous

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nathan’s Famous during the 4th quarter valued at about $109,000. AdvisorShares Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Nathan’s Famous during the 4th quarter valued at about $149,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in Nathan’s Famous by 45.1% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 2,056 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $162,000 after buying an additional 639 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in Nathan’s Famous by 30.8% during the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,820 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $222,000 after purchasing an additional 664 shares during the last quarter. Finally, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its position in Nathan’s Famous by 27.7% in the fourth quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 3,697 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 803 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.54% of the company’s stock.

Nathan’s Famous Company Profile

Nathan’s Famous, Inc engages in the operation of franchised fast-food units. It is involved in the licensing, wholesaling, and retailing of products marketed under the Nathan’s Famous brand. The firm operates through the following business segments: Branded Product Program, Product Licensing, Restaurant Operations, and Corporate.