MarketWise (NASDAQ:MKTW) Stock Price Up 0.5% - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• MarketWise's stock price increased by 0.5%, with last traded shares at $14.80, while experiencing a significant drop in trading volume.
• Analysts have varied opinions on the stock, with UBS Group maintaining a "neutral" rating and a target price increase to $20, while Weiss Ratings issued a "sell" rating.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20, representing a 5.4% yield, and has a payout ratio of 29.20%.

MarketWise, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKTW - Get Free Report)'s share price rose 0.5% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $15.00 and last traded at $14.80. Approximately 4,414 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 63% from the average daily volume of 11,990 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.72.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MKTW has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $20.00 target price (up from $19.00) on shares of MarketWise in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d+)" rating on shares of MarketWise in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MarketWise has an average rating of "Reduce" and a consensus price target of $20.00.

MarketWise Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average price of $16.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.82. The stock has a market cap of $242.28 million, a PE ratio of 5.40 and a beta of 0.51.

MarketWise (NASDAQ:MKTW - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The newsletter publisher reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.64 by ($0.11). MarketWise had a negative return on equity of 2.66% and a net margin of 1.69%.The business had revenue of $79.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $72.65 million.

MarketWise Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 25th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 15th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. MarketWise's dividend payout ratio is presently 29.20%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MarketWise

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new position in MarketWise in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in MarketWise in the second quarter valued at approximately $226,000. Militia Capital Partners LP purchased a new position in MarketWise in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. XTX Topco Ltd lifted its stake in MarketWise by 172.4% in the first quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 122,184 shares of the newsletter publisher's stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 77,335 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in MarketWise by 300.5% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 121,661 shares of the newsletter publisher's stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 91,282 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 23.04% of the company's stock.

MarketWise Company Profile

MarketWise, Inc operates a content and technology multi-brand platform for self-directed investors in the United States and Internationally. Its platform includes subscription businesses that provides financial research, software, education, and tools to navigate the financial markets. The company offers various investment strategies, such as value investing, income, growth, commodities, cryptocurrencies, venture, crowdfunded investing, biotechnology, mutual funds, options, and trading; investment research product portfolio through a range of media, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile; and financial newsletters.

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