AlphaQuest LLC Takes Position in Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA)

AlphaQuest LLC purchased a new position in shares of Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor purchased 4,636 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $190,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its holdings in Papa Johns International by 300.0% during the fourth quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 600 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in Papa Johns International by 225.4% during the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,331 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 922 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in Papa Johns International by 111.9% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,358 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 717 shares during the last quarter. Nwam LLC purchased a new position in Papa Johns International during the third quarter worth about $210,000. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC purchased a new position in Papa Johns International during the third quarter worth about $266,000.

Papa Johns International Stock Up 0.8 %

NASDAQ PZZA opened at $43.36 on Monday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $42.49 and its 200-day moving average is $46.68. Papa Johns International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $35.28 and a 12-month high of $72.23. The firm has a market cap of $1.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.16.

Papa Johns International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. Papa Johns International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 73.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wedbush restated an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Papa Johns International in a report on Friday, February 28th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Papa Johns International from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Loop Capital lowered their price objective on shares of Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Papa Johns International from $56.00 to $45.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Northcoast Research raised shares of Papa Johns International to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Papa Johns International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $55.67.

About Papa Johns International

Papa John’s International, Inc engages in the operation and franchise of pizza delivery and carryout restaurants. It operates through the following segments: Domestic Company-owned Restaurants, North America Franchising, North America Commissaries, International Operations, and All Others. The Domestic Company-Owned Restaurants segment consists of retail sales of pizza and side items, breadsticks, cheese sticks, chicken poppers and wings, dessert items, and canned and bottled beverages.