National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus on National Vision, with seven buy ratings and four holds. The average 12-month price target is $29.82, well above the reported $16.40 share price.
• National Vision exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $0.25 in EPS versus the $0.18 consensus, while revenue rose 2.6% year over year to $498.81 million.
• The stock has traded near the lower end of its 12-month range, from $14.75 to $30.02, while major institutional investors—including BlackRock and Wellington Management—established or expanded significant positions.

National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the eleven analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $29.82.

A number of research firms have issued reports on EYE. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on National Vision from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on National Vision from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. UBS Group dropped their target price on National Vision from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Roth Capital reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $27.00 target price on shares of National Vision in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Guggenheim set a $27.00 price target on National Vision in a report on Friday, September 11th.

National Vision Stock Performance

Shares of EYE stock opened at $16.40 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.59, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $18.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.16. National Vision has a 12 month low of $14.75 and a 12 month high of $30.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.30 billion, a PE ratio of 26.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.98.

National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 12th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $498.81 million for the quarter. National Vision had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 6.78%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.18 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that National Vision will post 0.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of National Vision

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of National Vision during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $230,295,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of National Vision by 39.6% in the second quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,669,853 shares of the company's stock valued at $145,804,000 after acquiring an additional 2,173,887 shares in the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National Vision in the second quarter valued at approximately $90,248,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of National Vision by 1.1% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,062,191 shares of the company's stock valued at $79,304,000 after acquiring an additional 32,595 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fiera Capital Corp increased its position in shares of National Vision by 33.1% during the fourth quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 1,415,307 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,543,000 after acquiring an additional 352,257 shares during the last quarter.

About National Vision

National Vision Holdings, Inc is an optical retail company that provides eye examinations, prescription eyewear and contact lenses through a network of stores and online channels. The company serves value-oriented consumers with products and services that include comprehensive eye care, eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and related optical accessories.

National Vision operates primarily through the America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses and Eyeglass World brands, as well as optical centers located within select retail locations under the Vista Optical name.

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