Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) Short Interest Up 6.9% in November

Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 57,400 shares, a growth of 6.9% from the October 31st total of 53,700 shares. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 28,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Escalade from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th.

Escalade Trading Up 5.1 %

Shares of ESCA opened at $15.76 on Tuesday. Escalade has a one year low of $12.34 and a one year high of $22.01. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $14.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 3.45. The company has a market capitalization of $218.75 million, a P/E ratio of 16.77 and a beta of 1.25.

Escalade Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 13th. Investors of record on Monday, January 6th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 6th. Escalade’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.83%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Escalade

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Escalade during the 2nd quarter worth about $15,458,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Escalade by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 498,945 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,860,000 after purchasing an additional 3,569 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Escalade by 0.3% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 458,464 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,322,000 after acquiring an additional 1,365 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Escalade by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 126,474 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,744,000 after buying an additional 1,071 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC bought a new position in Escalade during the second quarter worth about $201,000. 65.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Escalade Company Profile

Escalade, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, imports, and sells sporting goods in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company provides various sporting goods brands in basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation, and fitness products.