Marcus (NYSE:MCS) Shares Pass Above 200 Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

The Marcus Co. (NYSE:MCS - Get Free Report)'s stock price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $17.14 and traded as high as $20.24. Marcus shares last traded at $20.06, with a volume of 188,786 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on MCS shares. Benchmark lifted their target price on Marcus from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, November 25th. StockNews.com raised Marcus from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Barrington Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $24.00 price objective on shares of Marcus in a report on Wednesday, November 13th.

Marcus Stock Up 2.1 %

The company has a market cap of $644.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -60.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.54 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $21.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $17.16.

Marcus Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a dividend of $0.07 per share. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Marcus's dividend payout ratio is currently -82.35%.

Insider Activity at Marcus

In other news, VP Thomas F. Kissinger sold 8,000 shares of Marcus stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.31, for a total value of $178,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 186,585 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,162,711.35. The trade was a 4.11 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 5.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marcus

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Marcus by 10.4% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 497,284 shares of the company's stock worth $5,654,000 after purchasing an additional 46,891 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its position in shares of Marcus by 20.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 112,211 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,258,000 after buying an additional 19,107 shares in the last quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of Marcus by 9.1% during the 2nd quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 191,500 shares of the company's stock worth $2,177,000 after acquiring an additional 16,000 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in Marcus by 21.6% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 116,081 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,320,000 after acquiring an additional 20,617 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its position in Marcus by 35.6% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 231,996 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,638,000 after purchasing an additional 60,921 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.57% of the company's stock.

Marcus Company Profile

The Marcus Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates movie theatres, and hotels and resorts in the United States. It operates a family entertainment center and multiscreen motion picture theatres under the Big Screen Bistro, Big Screen Bistro Express, BistroPlex, and Movie Tavern by Marcus brand names.