Vipshop (NYSE:VIPS) Upgraded to Strong-Buy at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Vipshop (NYSE:VIPS) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report published on Friday.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on VIPS. HSBC reduced their target price on shares of Vipshop from $22.90 to $19.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Benchmark restated a buy rating and issued a $29.00 target price on shares of Vipshop in a report on Thursday, February 29th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Vipshop from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Vipshop from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $21.13.

Vipshop Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VIPS opened at $15.16 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $8.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.47 and a beta of 0.41. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $17.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.27. Vipshop has a 52-week low of $13.80 and a 52-week high of $20.19.

Vipshop (NYSE:VIPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The technology company reported $5.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.64 by $5.15. The company had revenue of $34.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $33.18 billion. Vipshop had a net margin of 7.20% and a return on equity of 23.19%. Vipshop’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.47 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Vipshop will post 2.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vipshop Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. This represents a yield of 2.3%. Vipshop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 20.20%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vipshop

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its position in Vipshop by 21.4% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,322,433 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $23,592,000 after buying an additional 233,438 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Vipshop by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 996,011 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $15,946,000 after buying an additional 87,252 shares during the period. Strs Ohio boosted its position in Vipshop by 46.8% in the 4th quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 430,890 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $7,652,000 after buying an additional 137,300 shares during the period. Ariose Capital Management Ltd purchased a new stake in Vipshop in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,498,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its position in Vipshop by 1,013.6% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 318,261 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $5,652,000 after buying an additional 289,681 shares during the period. 48.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vipshop Company Profile

Vipshop Holdings Limited operates online platforms in the People's Republic of China. It operates in Vip.com, Shan Shan Outlets, and Others segments. The company offers womenswear, menswear, sportswear, shoes and bags, accessories, baby and children products, skincare and cosmetics, home goods and other lifestyle products, and supermarket products.