Short Interest in Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA) Expands By 25.6%

Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,077,100 shares, a growth of 25.6% from the November 30th total of 1,653,179 shares. Approximately 8.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,360,729 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,360,729 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days. Approximately 8.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VRA has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded Vera Bradley from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Sunday, October 26th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vera Bradley in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Andrew Meslow bought 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $1.93 per share, with a total value of $96,500.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 600,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,158,000. This trade represents a 9.09% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 10.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Vera Bradley

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Vera Bradley during the 1st quarter worth approximately $110,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in Vera Bradley by 7.9% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 163,636 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $368,000 after purchasing an additional 12,021 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in Vera Bradley by 149.9% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 57,041 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 34,212 shares during the period. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Vera Bradley during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Vera Bradley during the first quarter worth $29,000. 59.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Vera Bradley Trading Up 1.9%

NASDAQ VRA opened at $2.20 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.50 million, a P/E ratio of -0.63 and a beta of 1.75. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 2.52 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Vera Bradley has a one year low of $1.39 and a one year high of $4.01.

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

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.