KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Invests $287,000 in Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in shares of Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 7,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $287,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PZZA. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its stake in shares of 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 period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in Papa Johns International by 111.9% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,358 shares of the company's stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 717 shares in the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC bought a new position in Papa Johns International during the 4th quarter worth $190,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in Papa Johns International by 15.8% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 5,425 shares of the company's stock worth $223,000 after buying an additional 740 shares during the period. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Papa Johns International during the third quarter worth $266,000.

Papa Johns International Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of PZZA traded down $0.58 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $31.87. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,229,250 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,232,491. Papa Johns International, Inc. has a one year low of $30.76 and a one year high of $64.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.25. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $42.95 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $45.23.

Papa Johns International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. Papa Johns International's dividend payout ratio is presently 73.02%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Papa Johns International from $56.00 to $45.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Papa Johns International from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Papa Johns International from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Papa Johns International in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Loop Capital dropped their price objective on Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $55.25.

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.