National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE) Sets New 52-Week High - Time to Buy?

National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $22.46 and last traded at $22.35, with a volume of 2602840 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $21.51.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

EYE has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on National Vision from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays raised their target price on National Vision from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of National Vision from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of National Vision from $13.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of National Vision from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Vision presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $18.67.

National Vision Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $17.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -69.33, a P/E/G ratio of 6.70 and a beta of 1.24.

National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. National Vision had a negative net margin of 1.40% and a positive return on equity of 3.44%. The company had revenue of $510.32 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $510.30 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.32 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that National Vision Holdings, Inc. will post 0.31 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Ravi Acharya sold 12,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.75, for a total transaction of $225,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,700 shares in the company, valued at $219,375. The trade was a 50.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.70% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Vision

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of National Vision by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,568,579 shares of the company's stock worth $135,066,000 after buying an additional 156,741 shares during the last quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. lifted its position in National Vision by 6.9% in the first quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 4,996,104 shares of the company's stock valued at $63,850,000 after acquiring an additional 320,565 shares during the last quarter. Engine Capital Management LP lifted its position in National Vision by 53.3% in the first quarter. Engine Capital Management LP now owns 3,875,701 shares of the company's stock valued at $49,531,000 after acquiring an additional 1,347,648 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in National Vision by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,702,371 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,577,000 after acquiring an additional 30,235 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in shares of National Vision by 81.5% during the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,308,375 shares of the company's stock worth $24,053,000 after purchasing an additional 1,036,459 shares in the last quarter.

About National Vision

National Vision Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an optical retailer in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Owned & Host and Legacy. It offers eyeglasses and contact lenses, and optical accessory products; provides eye exams through its America's Best, Eyeglass World, Vista Optical, Fred Meyer, and Vista Optical military, as well as Vision Center branded stores; and offers health maintenance organization and optometric services.