Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) Stock Price Up 4.8% - Here's What Happened

Shares of Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI - Get Free Report) traded up 4.8% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $16.44 and last traded at $16.33. 677,203 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 66% from the average session volume of 1,989,886 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.59.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on LEVI shares. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $23.00 target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Levi Strauss & Co. from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Levi Strauss & Co. from $20.00 to $17.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $18.00 to $17.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $26.00 to $25.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $21.27.

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Levi Strauss & Co. Stock Down 3.1 %

The firm has a market cap of $5.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.90, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.07. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $17.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 0.80.

Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The blue-jean maker reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.02. Levi Strauss & Co. had a net margin of 3.32% and a return on equity of 25.88%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Levi Strauss & Co. will post 1.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Levi Strauss & Co. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 12th were paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.72%. Levi Strauss & Co.'s payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Levi Strauss & Co.

In other Levi Strauss & Co. news, Director David A. Friedman sold 4,166 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.44, for a total value of $76,821.04. Following the sale, the director now owns 100,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,844,221.28. This trade represents a 4.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 1.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Levi Strauss & Co.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in the fourth quarter worth $39,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $57,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Levi Strauss & Co. during the fourth quarter worth approximately $82,000. Matrix Trust Co lifted its position in Levi Strauss & Co. by 678.9% in the fourth quarter. Matrix Trust Co now owns 5,507 shares of the blue-jean maker's stock worth $95,000 after purchasing an additional 4,800 shares during the period. Finally, R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Levi Strauss & Co. during the 4th quarter valued at $105,000. 69.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss & Co engages in the design, marketing, and sale of apparel products. The company offers jeans, casual and dress pants, tops, shorts, skirts, jackets, footwear, and related accessories. It operates through the following geographical segments: Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company was founded by Levi Strauss in 1853 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.