Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) Shares Pass Above 200-Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Herbalife shares passed above their 200-day moving average (200‑day MA $12.88), trading as high as $14.85 and last at $14.6430 on roughly 976,857 shares, a bullish technical signal.
• Analyst sentiment has turned more positive with upgrades from Citigroup, Maxim, Zacks and Wall Street Zen, leaving an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $17.25.
• Fundamentals are mixed: quarterly revenue beat at $1.28B (up 6.3% YoY) but EPS of $0.45 missed estimates, while valuation metrics show a low P/E of 6.66 and a market cap of $1.51B.

Herbalife Ltd (NYSE:HLF - Get Free Report) shares passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $12.88 and traded as high as $14.85. Herbalife shares last traded at $14.6430, with a volume of 976,857 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on HLF shares. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $21.00 price target (up from $17.00) on shares of Herbalife in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Maxim Group assumed coverage on Herbalife in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $20.00 price objective on the stock. Mizuho set a $13.00 price objective on shares of Herbalife and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Herbalife from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Herbalife from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Herbalife presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $17.25.

Herbalife Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.83. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.88.

Herbalife (NYSE:HLF - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.48 by ($0.03). Herbalife had a net margin of 4.53% and a negative return on equity of 35.02%. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.36 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Herbalife Ltd will post 1.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Optimize Financial Inc increased its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Optimize Financial Inc now owns 61,426 shares of the company's stock worth $792,000 after purchasing an additional 880 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in Herbalife by 7.0% during the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 14,176 shares of the company's stock valued at $200,000 after buying an additional 933 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in Herbalife by 3.4% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 36,642 shares of the company's stock worth $316,000 after buying an additional 1,217 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in Herbalife by 5.9% during the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 24,229 shares of the company's stock worth $312,000 after buying an additional 1,348 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Herbalife by 8.9% in the 4th quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 16,488 shares of the company's stock worth $213,000 after acquiring an additional 1,351 shares during the last quarter.

About Herbalife

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. NYSE: HLF operates as a global multi-level marketing company specializing in weight-management, nutritional supplement, sports nutrition and personal care products. Its portfolio includes protein shakes, vitamins, energy and fitness supplements, hydration products and skin and hair care items, all formulated to support wellness, performance and healthy living. Products are manufactured in GMP-certified facilities to ensure consistent quality and safety standards.

Founded in 1980 by Mark R.

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