Short Interest in Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) Decreases By 23.5%

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,240,000 shares, a decrease of 23.5% from the July 31st total of 1,620,000 shares. Approximately 3.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 693,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Based on an average trading volume of 693,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Approximately 3.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on RL shares. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $360.00 price objective (up previously from $321.00) on shares of Ralph Lauren in a report on Friday, August 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Ralph Lauren to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Telsey Advisory Group raised their price target on shares of Ralph Lauren from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on shares of Ralph Lauren from $310.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Ralph Lauren from $318.00 to $328.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ralph Lauren has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $307.88.

Ralph Lauren Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of RL stock traded up $2.93 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $312.72. 630,032 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 569,065. The firm has a market cap of $18.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.60. Ralph Lauren has a fifty-two week low of $170.26 and a fifty-two week high of $321.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.84. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $294.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $261.61.

Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The textile maker reported $3.77 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.50 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $1.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. Ralph Lauren had a net margin of 10.91% and a return on equity of 33.72%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 13.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.70 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Ralph Lauren will post 12.01 EPS for the current year.

Ralph Lauren announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, May 22nd that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the textile maker to buy up to 8.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Ralph Lauren

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in Ralph Lauren by 1,228.6% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 93 shares of the textile maker's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its position in Ralph Lauren by 93.7% in the 1st quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 122 shares of the textile maker's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new stake in Ralph Lauren in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC grew its position in Ralph Lauren by 178.0% in the 1st quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC now owns 139 shares of the textile maker's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new stake in Ralph Lauren in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.91% of the company's stock.

About Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers apparel, including a range of men's, women's, and children's clothing; footwear and accessories, which comprise casual shoes, dress shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, eyewear, watches, fashion and fine jewelry, scarves, hats, gloves, and umbrellas, as well as leather goods, such as handbags, luggage, small leather goods, and belts; home products consisting of bed and bath lines, furniture, fabric and wallcoverings, floor coverings, lighting, tabletop, kitchen linens, floor coverings, dining, decorative accessories, and giftware; and fragrances.