Short Interest in The Marcus Co. (NYSE:MCS) Expands By 21.0%

The Marcus Co. (NYSE:MCS) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 726,500 shares, an increase of 21.0% from the January 15th total of 600,300 shares. Approximately 3.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 201,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.6 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MCS has been the subject of several analyst reports. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $25.00 target price on shares of Marcus in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $24.00 price objective on shares of Marcus in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Marcus from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th.

Institutional Trading of Marcus

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. nVerses Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marcus during the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Marcus by 2,908.9% in the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,377 shares of the company’s stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 2,298 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new position in Marcus during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $70,000. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Marcus by 98.8% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,709 shares of the company’s stock valued at $86,000 after acquiring an additional 2,837 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Marcus by 407,500.0% in the fourth quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 4,076 shares of the company’s stock worth $88,000 after acquiring an additional 4,075 shares in the last quarter. 81.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marcus Stock Down 0.5 %

NYSE MCS traded down $0.10 during trading on Monday, reaching $22.04. 140,472 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 163,523. The firm has a market capitalization of $693.82 million, a PE ratio of -64.82, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 1.53. Marcus has a fifty-two week low of $9.56 and a fifty-two week high of $23.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $20.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.30.

Marcus Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.27%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 25th. Marcus’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -82.35%.

About Marcus

The Marcus Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates movie theatres, and hotels and resorts in the United States. It operates a family entertainment center and multiscreen motion picture theatres under the Big Screen Bistro, Big Screen Bistro Express, BistroPlex, and Movie Tavern by Marcus brand names.