Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,710,000 shares, a growth of 10.2% from the December 15th total of 5,180,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,830,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days.

Insider Transactions at Levi Strauss & Co.

In related news, Director David A. Friedman sold 8,332 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.00, for a total transaction of $149,976.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 108,344 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,950,192. This trade represents a 7.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 3.14% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Levi Strauss & Co.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Levi Strauss & Co. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $380,000. Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 8.5% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 228,913 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock valued at $4,413,000 after acquiring an additional 17,889 shares in the last quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. during the second quarter valued at approximately $281,000. Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp lifted its holdings in Levi Strauss & Co. by 6.2% during the second quarter. Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp now owns 54,765 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock worth $1,056,000 after acquiring an additional 3,204 shares during the period. Finally, Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Levi Strauss & Co. in the second quarter worth $3,219,000. 69.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Levi Strauss & Co. Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of Levi Strauss & Co. stock traded down $0.21 on Monday, hitting $17.37. The company had a trading volume of 1,397,789 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,136,090. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.41. Levi Strauss & Co. has a 1 year low of $15.10 and a 1 year high of $24.34. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $17.25 and a 200-day moving average of $18.22.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LEVI has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays assumed coverage on Levi Strauss & Co. in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Levi Strauss & Co. from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their target price on Levi Strauss & Co. from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $22.50.

Levi Strauss & Co. Company Profile

Levi Strauss & Co designs, markets, and sells apparels and related accessories for men, women, and children worldwide. The company offers jeans, casual and dress pants, activewears, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, sweaters, jackets, footwear, and related accessories under the Levi's, Dockers, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co, Denizen, and Beyond Yoga brands.