Upbound Group (NASDAQ:UPBD) Stock Rating Lowered by Zacks Research

Upbound Group (NASDAQ:UPBD) was downgraded by equities researchers at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on UPBD. BTIG Research dropped their price target on Upbound Group from $40.00 to $28.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Upbound Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Upbound Group in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Upbound Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $32.25.

Upbound Group Price Performance

Shares of UPBD opened at $20.31 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25, a current ratio of 3.16 and a quick ratio of 0.98. Upbound Group has a 1-year low of $15.82 and a 1-year high of $30.20. The stock has a market cap of $1.18 billion, a PE ratio of 14.01 and a beta of 1.88. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $18.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.94.

Insider Activity at Upbound Group

In related news, Director Jeffrey J. Brown purchased 2,502 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $17.68 per share, for a total transaction of $44,235.36. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 92,972 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,643,744.96. This trade represents a 2.77% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 2.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Upbound Group

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPBD. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Upbound Group by 238.3% in the 4th quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,448 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 1,020 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Upbound Group during the third quarter worth about $32,000. Quarry LP raised its holdings in Upbound Group by 913.1% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,388 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,251 shares in the last quarter. Security National Bank acquired a new stake in Upbound Group in the third quarter valued at about $57,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Upbound Group by 44.7% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,787 shares of the company’s stock valued at $89,000 after purchasing an additional 1,170 shares in the last quarter. 90.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Upbound Group Company Profile

Upbound Group, Inc leases household durable goods to customers on a lease-to-own basis in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. It operates through four segments: Rent-A-Center, Acima, Mexico, and Franchising. The company's brands, such as Rent-A-Center and Acima that facilitate consumer transactions across a range of store-based and virtual channels. It offers furniture comprising mattresses, tires, consumer electronics, appliances, tools, handbags, computers, smartphones, and accessories.