Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,710,000 shares, an increase of 10.2% from the December 15th total of 5,180,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,830,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days.

Levi Strauss & Co. Price Performance

Levi Strauss & Co. stock traded down $0.21 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $17.37. The company had a trading volume of 1,397,789 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,136,090. The company has a market capitalization of $6.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.16. Levi Strauss & Co. has a 12-month low of $15.10 and a 12-month high of $24.34. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $17.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 0.76.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LEVI has been the topic of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Levi Strauss & Co. from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Levi Strauss & Co. from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $22.50.

Insider Activity at Levi Strauss & Co.

In other Levi Strauss & Co. news, Director David A. Friedman sold 4,166 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.00, for a total transaction of $74,988.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 104,178 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,875,204. This trade represents a 3.85 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 3.14% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brandes Investment Partners LP lifted its stake in Levi Strauss & Co. by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 42,745 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock valued at $824,000 after buying an additional 743 shares in the last quarter. Hunter Perkins Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Levi Strauss & Co. by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Hunter Perkins Capital Management LLC now owns 21,690 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock valued at $473,000 after buying an additional 765 shares in the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in Levi Strauss & Co. in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. 272 Capital LP purchased a new position in Levi Strauss & Co. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC lifted its stake in Levi Strauss & Co. by 17.8% in the 3rd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 11,900 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 1,800 shares in the last quarter. 69.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss & Co designs, markets, and sells apparels and related accessories for men, women, and children worldwide. The company offers jeans, casual and dress pants, activewears, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, sweaters, jackets, footwear, and related accessories under the Levi's, Dockers, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co, Denizen, and Beyond Yoga brands.