VF (NYSE:VFC) Shares Gap Up After Strong Earnings

VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC - Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $26.59, but opened at $27.74. VF shares last traded at $28.29, with a volume of 4,806,498 shares traded.

The textile maker reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.28. VF had a positive return on equity of 12.53% and a negative net margin of 6.68%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.57 EPS.

VF Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.34%. VF's dividend payout ratio is currently -20.81%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VFC has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com raised VF from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, October 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on VF from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday. Argus raised VF from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $25.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on VF from $23.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on VF from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $22.47.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in VF during the third quarter worth $40,000. CKW Financial Group lifted its stake in VF by 29.4% during the fourth quarter. CKW Financial Group now owns 2,200 shares of the textile maker's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. lifted its stake in VF by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 6,017 shares of the textile maker's stock worth $129,000 after purchasing an additional 3,008 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in VF by 1,917.1% during the third quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 12,627 shares of the textile maker's stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 12,001 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of VF in the second quarter valued at $241,000. 86.84% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

VF Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $10.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -15.54, a PEG ratio of 9.74 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $22.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $19.65.

VF Company Profile

VF Corp. engages in the business of producing and marketing apparel, footwear, and accessories. It operates through the following segments: Outdoor, Active, Work, and Other. The Outdoor segment includes authentic outdoor-based lifestyle brands such as performance-based and outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment.