Long Focus Capital Management LLC Invests $7.39 Million in Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA)

Long Focus Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 180,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,393,000. Long Focus Capital Management LLC owned about 0.55% of Papa Johns International at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Stifel Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Papa Johns International by 39.4% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 12,157 shares of the company's stock worth $655,000 after buying an additional 3,433 shares during the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC acquired a new stake in Papa Johns International in the third quarter valued at approximately $266,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Papa Johns International in the third quarter worth $312,000. Optimist Retirement Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Papa Johns International during the third quarter worth $286,000. Finally, Irth Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Papa Johns International during the 4th quarter valued at $66,883,000.

Papa Johns International Stock Performance

NASDAQ PZZA opened at $31.59 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $44.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.01, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.25. Papa Johns International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $30.16 and a fifty-two week high of $64.67.

Papa Johns International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. Papa Johns International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 73.02%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PZZA has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Northcoast Research upgraded Papa Johns International to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Benchmark dropped their price target on Papa Johns International from $65.00 to $50.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Papa Johns International from $56.00 to $45.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Papa Johns International from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Papa Johns International in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Papa Johns International currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $53.00.

About Papa Johns International

Papa John's International, Inc engages in the operation and franchise of pizza delivery and carryout restaurants. It operates through the following segments: Domestic Company-owned Restaurants, North America Franchising, North America Commissaries, International Operations, and All Others. The Domestic Company-Owned Restaurants segment consists of retail sales of pizza and side items, breadsticks, cheese sticks, chicken poppers and wings, dessert items, and canned and bottled beverages.

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