The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) Shares Sold by Graham Capital Management L.P.

Graham Capital Management L.P. decreased its holdings in The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN - Free Report) by 29.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 87,199 shares of the restaurant operator's stock after selling 36,143 shares during the quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P.'s holdings in Wendy's were worth $1,421,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WEN. Franklin Resources Inc. bought a new stake in Wendy's during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $763,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Wendy's by 168.1% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,233 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Wendy's by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 152,549 shares of the restaurant operator's stock valued at $2,673,000 after acquiring an additional 2,087 shares during the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC bought a new position in Wendy's during the fourth quarter valued at $357,000. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC bought a new position in Wendy's during the fourth quarter valued at $516,000. Institutional investors own 85.96% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Abigail E. Pringle sold 136,819 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.81, for a total transaction of $1,752,651.39. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 203,005 shares in the company, valued at $2,600,494.05. This represents a 40.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 17.00% of the company's stock.

Wendy's Stock Up 2.5%

Shares of WEN stock traded up $0.30 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $12.26. 4,243,866 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,274,501. The stock has a market cap of $2.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.40. The stock's fifty day moving average is $13.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.43. The Wendy's Company has a 52-week low of $11.70 and a 52-week high of $20.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.48, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.83.

Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The restaurant operator reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.20. The business had revenue of $523.47 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $530.11 million. Wendy's had a net margin of 8.65% and a return on equity of 75.56%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.23 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that The Wendy's Company will post 0.99 EPS for the current year.

Wendy's Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.14 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.57%. Wendy's's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on WEN shares. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Wendy's from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Wedbush reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $16.00 target price on shares of Wendy's in a research note on Friday, March 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Wendy's from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Wendy's from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $13.00 target price on shares of Wendy's in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Wendy's has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $16.34.

Wendy's Company Profile

The Wendy's Co engages in operating, developing, and franchising a system of quick-service restaurants. It operates through the following segments: Wendy's U.S., Wendy's International, and Global Real Estate and Development. The Wendy's U.S. segment includes the operation and franchising of Wendy's restaurants in the U.S.