Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) have earned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the thirteen brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $55.25.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on PZZA shares. Northcoast Research raised shares of Papa Johns International to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Papa Johns International from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Papa Johns International in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Wedbush restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $60.00 price objective on shares of Papa Johns International in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Loop Capital decreased their target price on Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Papa Johns International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PZZA. Irth Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Papa Johns International in the fourth quarter valued at $66,883,000. Moody National Bank Trust Division boosted its stake in Papa Johns International by 142.3% in the 4th quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 22,644 shares of the company’s stock worth $930,000 after purchasing an additional 13,297 shares during the period. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Papa Johns International during the 4th quarter valued at about $559,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Papa Johns International during the fourth quarter valued at about $5,647,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Papa Johns International by 7.3% in the fourth quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 1,500,739 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,635,000 after buying an additional 102,128 shares in the last quarter.

Papa Johns International Price Performance

PZZA opened at $41.87 on Friday. Papa Johns International has a 1 year low of $35.28 and a 1 year high of $66.81. The company has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.25. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $43.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.24.

Papa Johns International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.39%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. Papa Johns International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.02%.

Papa Johns International Company Profile

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.