Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) Short Interest Up 38.3% in December

Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ:ESCA) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 75,800 shares, an increase of 38.3% from the November 30th total of 54,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 27,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days. Approximately 0.8% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Trading of Escalade

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Escalade during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $15,458,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Escalade by 0.3% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 458,464 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,322,000 after acquiring an additional 1,365 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in Escalade by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 126,474 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,744,000 after acquiring an additional 1,071 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Escalade in the 2nd quarter worth $201,000. Finally, Arete Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Escalade by 40.6% during the 3rd quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,975 shares of the company’s stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 6,059 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.22% of the company’s stock.

Escalade Trading Down 1.3 %

NASDAQ:ESCA traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $14.18. The company had a trading volume of 17,333 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,830. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 3.45. Escalade has a fifty-two week low of $12.34 and a fifty-two week high of $20.52. The firm has a market cap of $196.78 million, a P/E ratio of 15.09 and a beta of 1.25. The business’s fifty day moving average is $14.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.03.

Escalade Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 6th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 6th. Escalade’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.83%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Escalade from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th.

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.