Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) Short Interest Down 31.9% in October

Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA - Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 56,400 shares, a drop of 31.9% from the September 30th total of 82,800 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 22,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days.

Escalade Trading Up 0.2 %

NASDAQ:ESCA traded up $0.02 on Friday, reaching $13.26. The company's stock had a trading volume of 14,210 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,750. The firm has a market cap of $183.78 million, a PE ratio of 15.60 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 4.60. The business's 50-day moving average price is $13.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.61. Escalade has a 1-year low of $12.34 and a 1-year high of $22.01.

Escalade (NASDAQ:ESCA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $62.53 million during the quarter. Escalade had a return on equity of 7.16% and a net margin of 4.55%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Escalade will post 0.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Escalade Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 6th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.52%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 6th. Escalade's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 70.59%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Escalade from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Escalade

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in Escalade by 40.0% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,688 shares of the company's stock worth $64,000 after acquiring an additional 1,340 shares during the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new position in Escalade during the first quarter worth $199,000. Inspire Advisors LLC bought a new position in Escalade in the second quarter valued at $201,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its stake in Escalade by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 24,944 shares of the company's stock valued at $343,000 after buying an additional 1,330 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prosperity Consulting Group LLC acquired a new stake in Escalade in the 1st quarter valued at $484,000. Institutional investors own 65.22% of the company's stock.

Escalade Company Profile

Escalade, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, imports, and sells sporting goods in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company provides various sporting goods brands in basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation, and fitness products.