Short Interest in Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT) Grows By 8.1%

Krispy Kreme, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNUT) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 19,640,000 shares, an increase of 8.1% from the September 15th total of 18,160,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,570,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 12.5 days. Currently, 23.8% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Krispy Kreme Price Performance

Shares of DNUT stock traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $11.41. The stock had a trading volume of 346,544 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,088,512. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $11.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.56. Krispy Kreme has a one year low of $9.18 and a one year high of $17.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -42.56, a PEG ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.34 and a quick ratio of 0.26.

Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.05. Krispy Kreme had a negative net margin of 2.98% and a positive return on equity of 1.12%. The company had revenue of $438.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $435.43 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.04 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Krispy Kreme will post 0.13 EPS for the current year.

Krispy Kreme Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 6th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 23rd will be issued a $0.035 dividend. This represents a $0.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 23rd. Krispy Kreme’s payout ratio is presently -51.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on DNUT shares. Hsbc Global Res raised Krispy Kreme from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. HSBC raised Krispy Kreme from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $14.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Bank of America lowered their target price on Krispy Kreme from $19.00 to $16.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI reissued an “in-line” rating and set a $13.00 price target on shares of Krispy Kreme in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $15.88.

Institutional Trading of Krispy Kreme

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Krispy Kreme in the third quarter worth about $339,000. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Krispy Kreme during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $124,000. Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its stake in shares of Krispy Kreme by 31.7% during the 3rd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 29,500 shares of the company’s stock worth $317,000 after acquiring an additional 7,100 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in Krispy Kreme by 8.7% during the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 47,294 shares of the company’s stock valued at $509,000 after acquiring an additional 3,794 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Driehaus Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Krispy Kreme by 121.7% in the second quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 1,190,865 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,814,000 after purchasing an additional 653,637 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.72% of the company’s stock.

Krispy Kreme Company Profile

Krispy Kreme, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces doughnuts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S., International, and Market Development. The company offers doughnut experiences through hot light theater and fresh shops, delivered fresh daily branded cabinets and merchandising units within grocery and convenience stores, quick service restaurants, club memberships, drug stores, and ecommerce, as well as through its branded sweet treat line comprising Krispy Kreme branded sweet treats.