Escalade (NASDAQ:ESCA) Upgraded at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Escalade (NASDAQ:ESCA) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning.

Escalade Stock Up 1.7 %

Escalade stock opened at $13.00 on Friday. Escalade has a twelve month low of $12.34 and a twelve month high of $22.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 4.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The company has a 50 day moving average of $13.70 and a 200-day moving average of $14.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $180.21 million, a PE ratio of 14.29 and a beta of 1.24.

Escalade Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 7th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 7th. Escalade’s dividend payout ratio is 65.93%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Escalade in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in shares of Escalade by 5.6% in the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 24,944 shares of the company’s stock worth $343,000 after purchasing an additional 1,330 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Escalade by 40.6% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,037 shares of the company’s stock worth $141,000 after purchasing an additional 2,033 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in Escalade by 40.0% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,688 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 1,340 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new position in Escalade in the first quarter valued at $199,000. 65.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Escalade

Escalade, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, imports, and sells sporting goods in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company provides various sporting goods brands in basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation, and fitness products.