JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) Short Interest Down 15.4% in April

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 464,023 shares, a decline of 15.4% from the March 31st total of 548,525 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 58,751 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 7.9 days. Currently, 4.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On JAKKS Pacific

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in JAKKS Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $6,812,000. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC bought a new stake in JAKKS Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $5,494,000. Gate City Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of JAKKS Pacific by 47.6% in the 4th quarter. Gate City Capital Management LLC now owns 782,717 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,212,000 after acquiring an additional 252,337 shares in the last quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of JAKKS Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $2,178,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of JAKKS Pacific by 187.2% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 104,518 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,958,000 after acquiring an additional 68,128 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 44.38% of the company’s stock.

JAKKS Pacific Price Performance

Shares of JAKKS Pacific stock traded up $2.30 on Friday, reaching $24.06. The company had a trading volume of 160,467 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,978. The firm has a market cap of $275.25 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.31 and a beta of 1.50. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $21.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $18.81. JAKKS Pacific has a 1 year low of $14.86 and a 1 year high of $24.12.

JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ:JAKK) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported ($0.17) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.44) by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $106.68 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $103.80 million. JAKKS Pacific had a return on equity of 3.25% and a net margin of 1.41%. As a group, analysts anticipate that JAKKS Pacific will post 2.06 EPS for the current year.

JAKKS Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 29th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.2%. JAKKS Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 117.65%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JAKK has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen raised JAKKS Pacific from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 7th. Zacks Research upgraded JAKKS Pacific from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Key Headlines Impacting JAKKS Pacific

Here are the key news stories impacting JAKKS Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat expectations: JAKK reported adjusted EPS of ($0.17) vs. consensus of ($0.44) and revenue of $106.7M, modestly above estimates — this EPS/revenue surprise is the primary near-term catalyst. MarketBeat Q1 Summary
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend reinstated: the company declared a $0.25 per-share quarterly dividend (ex-dividend/record/payable dates announced) implying a ~4.4% yield — this raises the stock’s income appeal for yield-seeking investors.
• Positive Sentiment: Balance-sheet/cash flow signals: management reported healthy cash and a reduction in total liabilities year-over-year, which reduces financing risk and supports the dividend and working-capital needs. Quiver Quant recap
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcript available for review — useful for investors wanting management’s commentary on demand, channel inventory and holiday cadence. Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Official press release and slide deck are posted — appropriate for those doing a deeper read of segment and geographic performance. GlobeNewswire Release
• Negative Sentiment: Margin pressure and operating loss: cost of sales and lower gross margin drove an operating loss and a small net loss for Q1 — these profitability headwinds are why the company remains unprofitable on a GAAP basis and represent the primary near-term risk to the stock. Zacks report

About JAKKS Pacific

JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a Los Angeles–based company that designs, develops and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. Since its founding in 1995 by industry veteran Jack Friedman, the company has built a diversified portfolio spanning three primary segments: Toys, Consumer Electronics & Seasonal, and Kids Furniture & Accessories. JAKKS Pacific specializes in both licensed and proprietary brands, collaborating with major entertainment and sports licensors to bring popular characters and franchises to market.

The company’s Toys segment includes action figures, dolls, role-play items, collectible toys and outdoor activity products.