AJOVista LLC Takes Position in Vipshop Holdings Limited (NYSE:VIPS)

AJOVista LLC bought a new position in shares of Vipshop Holdings Limited (NYSE:VIPS - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 271,207 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $4,817,000. Vipshop accounts for 6.1% of AJOVista LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in VIPS. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its position in Vipshop by 21.4% during the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,322,433 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $23,592,000 after acquiring an additional 233,438 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Vipshop by 9.6% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 996,011 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $15,946,000 after purchasing an additional 87,252 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio boosted its position in shares of Vipshop by 46.8% in the 4th quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 430,890 shares of the technology company's stock worth $7,652,000 after purchasing an additional 137,300 shares in the last quarter. Ariose Capital Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Vipshop in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,498,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its position in Vipshop by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 1,218,490 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $21,640,000 after buying an additional 60,411 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 48.82% of the company's stock.

Vipshop Stock Up 2.4 %

Shares of NYSE VIPS traded up $0.39 during trading on Friday, reaching $16.45. 3,597,477 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,796,784. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.28. Vipshop Holdings Limited has a 52-week low of $13.80 and a 52-week high of $20.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.64 billion, a PE ratio of 8.10 and a beta of 0.44.

Vipshop (NYSE:VIPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The technology company reported $5.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $5.15. The company had revenue of $34.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $33.18 billion. Vipshop had a net margin of 7.20% and a return on equity of 23.19%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.47 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Vipshop Holdings Limited will post 2.24 EPS for the current year.

Vipshop Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. This represents a yield of 2.3%. Vipshop's payout ratio is 20.20%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VIPS has been the subject of several analyst reports. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and set a $29.00 price target on shares of Vipshop in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Vipshop from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Vipshop from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 19th. Finally, HSBC reduced their price target on shares of Vipshop from $22.90 to $19.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Vipshop presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $21.13.

Vipshop Company Profile

Vipshop Holdings Limited operates online platforms in the People's Republic of China. It operates in Vip.com, Shan Shan Outlets, and Others segments. The company offers womenswear, menswear, sportswear, shoes and bags, accessories, baby and children products, skincare and cosmetics, home goods and other lifestyle products, and supermarket products.