Short Interest in Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA) Declines By 20.8%

Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,396,895 shares, a decline of 20.8% from the December 31st total of 1,763,994 shares. Currently, 5.6% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 534,503 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.6 days. Based on an average daily volume of 534,503 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.6 days. Currently, 5.6% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Vera Bradley Stock Up 5.8%

Vera Bradley stock opened at $2.54 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.01 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.73 and a beta of 1.78. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $2.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.30. Vera Bradley has a 1-year low of $1.39 and a 1-year high of $3.74. The company has a current ratio of 2.52, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

Vera Bradley (NASDAQ:VRA) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, December 11th. The textile maker reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.11) by $0.07. The company had revenue of $62.25 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $61.69 million. Vera Bradley had a negative net margin of 34.23% and a negative return on equity of 18.30%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.27) EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Vera Bradley will post -0.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Vera Bradley

In other Vera Bradley news, Director Andrew Meslow purchased 250,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $1.98 per share, for a total transaction of $495,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 550,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,089,000. This represents a 83.33% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 12.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vera Bradley

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd purchased a new stake in Vera Bradley during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. purchased a new position in Vera Bradley in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Vera Bradley during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Williams & Novak LLC increased its stake in shares of Vera Bradley by 48.3% during the 2nd quarter. Williams & Novak LLC now owns 20,170 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 6,565 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Vera Bradley in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $49,000. Institutional investors own 59.88% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VRA has been the topic of a number of research reports. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Vera Bradley from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vera Bradley in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Vera Bradley from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, October 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Vera Bradley currently has a consensus rating of “Sell”.

Vera Bradley Company Profile

Vera Bradley, Inc (NASDAQ: VRA) is a lifestyle and accessories designer specializing in colorful, patterned handbags, luggage, travel accessories and coordinated home décor. Founded in 1982 by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the company first gained recognition for its quilted cotton bags sold at craft shows before expanding into an established fashion brand. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Vera Bradley has built a reputation for distinctive prints and functional design aimed primarily at women’s casual and travel needs.

The company’s product portfolio includes day bags, weekenders, backpacks, wallets, and organizational cases, as well as an expanding range of travel gear such as rolling luggage and travel pouches.