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

National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $21.73 and last traded at $21.32, with a volume of 2504182 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $21.19.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of National Vision from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. BMO Capital Markets set a $19.00 price objective on National Vision and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Bank of America raised National Vision from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Citigroup upgraded National Vision from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $13.00 to $21.00 in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Loop Capital increased their price target on National Vision from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Vision currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $17.75.

National Vision Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.65 billion, a PE ratio of -104.29, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $14.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.72.

National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. National Vision had a positive return on equity of 3.52% and a negative net margin of 0.81%. The firm had revenue of $510.32 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $510.30 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.32 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that National Vision Holdings, Inc. will post 0.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Ravi Acharya sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.75, for a total transaction of $225,000.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,700 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $219,375. This represents a 50.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 2.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of National Vision

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. lifted its position in shares of National Vision by 138.6% in the 4th quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 4,675,539 shares of the company's stock worth $48,719,000 after acquiring an additional 2,715,582 shares during the period. Engine Capital Management LP increased its position in National Vision by 127.5% in the fourth quarter. Engine Capital Management LP now owns 2,528,053 shares of the company's stock worth $26,342,000 after purchasing an additional 1,417,002 shares during the period. Boston Partners acquired a new stake in shares of National Vision during the 4th quarter worth approximately $12,594,000. SG Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in National Vision during the 4th quarter worth $11,827,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its stake 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 during the period.

National Vision Company Profile

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.