National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE) Hits New 52-Week High - Here's Why

Shares of National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $24.13 and last traded at $24.10, with a volume of 760773 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $23.01.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. BMO Capital Markets set a $19.00 price objective on shares of National Vision and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, May 19th. 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. Citigroup raised shares of National Vision from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $13.00 to $21.00 in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of National Vision from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, Loop Capital raised their target price on National Vision from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Vision presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $18.67.

National Vision Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $18.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $14.18. The company has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of -73.21, a P/E/G ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.54.

National Vision (NASDAQ:EYE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $510.30 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.32 EPS. National Vision's revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that National Vision Holdings, Inc. will post 0.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Ravi Acharya sold 12,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.75, for a total value of $225,000.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 11,700 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $219,375. This represents a 50.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.70% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of National Vision

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of EYE. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of National Vision by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,568,579 shares of the company's stock valued at $135,066,000 after purchasing an additional 156,741 shares in the last quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. grew its position in National Vision by 6.9% during the 1st quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 4,996,104 shares of the company's stock worth $63,850,000 after acquiring an additional 320,565 shares during the last quarter. Engine Capital Management LP increased its stake in National Vision by 53.3% in the 1st quarter. Engine Capital Management LP now owns 3,875,701 shares of the company's stock worth $49,531,000 after purchasing an additional 1,347,648 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position 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 purchasing an additional 30,235 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in shares of National Vision by 81.5% in 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 last quarter.

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.