WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ:WW) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ:WW) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 15,790,000 shares, an increase of 20.4% from the September 30th total of 13,110,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,110,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.9 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered WW International from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $6.50 to $1.25 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Barclays reissued an “underweight” rating and set a $0.75 price target on shares of WW International in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Guggenheim dropped their price target on WW International from $12.00 to $6.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on WW International from $2.10 to $1.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three 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 $4.50.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Sima Sistani bought 65,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $0.75 per share, with a total value of $48,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 267,410 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $200,557.50. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 8.12% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of WW International

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Prism Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WW International by 110.0% during the 3rd quarter. Prism Advisors Inc. now owns 42,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 22,000 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in shares of WW International by 159.9% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 260,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $305,000 after acquiring an additional 160,200 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of WW International during the 1st quarter worth about $185,000. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of WW International by 52.1% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 47,409 shares of the company’s stock worth $88,000 after acquiring an additional 16,244 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in WW International by 229.7% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 113,427 shares of the company’s stock valued at $210,000 after purchasing an additional 79,026 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.18% of the company’s stock.

WW International Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of WW stock opened at $1.06 on Monday. WW International has a fifty-two week low of $0.67 and a fifty-two week high of $9.77. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $0.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.27.

WW International (NASDAQ:WW) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.16). The business had revenue of $202.07 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $210.89 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.04) earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that WW International will post -0.12 EPS for the current year.

WW International Company Profile

WW International, Inc provides weight management products and services worldwide. It offers a range of nutritional, activity, behavioral, and lifestyle tools and approaches products and services. The company also provides various digital subscription products to wellness and weight management business, which provide interactive and personalized resources that allow users to follow its weight management program through its app and web-based platform; and allows members to inspire and support each other by sharing their experiences with other people on weight health journeys.