Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) Short Interest Up 38.3% in December

Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 75,800 shares, a growth of 38.3% from the November 30th total of 54,800 shares. Approximately 0.8% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 27,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.7 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Escalade Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of ESCA traded down $0.18 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $14.18. The stock had a trading volume of 17,333 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,830. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $196.78 million, a P/E ratio of 15.09 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 3.45 and a quick ratio of 1.41. Escalade has a 1-year low of $12.34 and a 1-year high of $20.52.

Escalade Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 6th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.23%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 6th. Escalade's payout ratio is 63.83%.

Institutional Trading of Escalade

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ESCA. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Escalade in the second quarter valued at $15,458,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Escalade by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 458,464 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,322,000 after purchasing an additional 1,365 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Escalade by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 126,474 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,744,000 after purchasing an additional 1,071 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Escalade during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $201,000. Finally, Arete Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Escalade by 40.6% in the third quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,975 shares of the company's stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 6,059 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.