Epoch Investment Partners Inc. Sells 37,839 Shares of Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA)

Epoch Investment Partners Inc. cut its stake in shares of Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) by 77.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,098 shares of the company’s stock after selling 37,839 shares during the quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.’s holdings in Papa Johns International were worth $456,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its holdings in Papa Johns International by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 33,733 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,385,000 after buying an additional 2,993 shares during the last quarter. Dean Investment Associates LLC lifted its position in Papa Johns International by 16.1% in the 4th quarter. Dean Investment Associates LLC now owns 63,305 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,600,000 after acquiring an additional 8,797 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in Papa Johns International during the 4th quarter valued at $1,372,000. XTX Topco Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Papa Johns International by 96.5% in the 4th quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 22,647 shares of the company’s stock worth $930,000 after purchasing an additional 11,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DRW Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Papa Johns International in the fourth quarter worth $201,000.

Papa Johns International Price Performance

Shares of PZZA opened at $31.16 on Monday. Papa Johns International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $30.20 and a 1 year high of $64.67. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $42.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $44.42. The firm has a market cap of $1.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.25.

Papa Johns International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th were paid a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 10th. Papa Johns International’s payout ratio is currently 73.02%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Loop Capital decreased their target price on Papa Johns International from $73.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Papa Johns International in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Papa Johns International from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Wedbush reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Papa Johns International in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Northcoast Research raised shares of Papa Johns International to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $55.08.

Papa Johns International Company Profile

Papa John’s International, Inc engages in the operation and franchise of pizza delivery and carryout restaurants. It operates through the following segments: Domestic Company-owned Restaurants, North America Franchising, North America Commissaries, International Operations, and All Others. The Domestic Company-Owned Restaurants segment consists of retail sales of pizza and side items, breadsticks, cheese sticks, chicken poppers and wings, dessert items, and canned and bottled beverages.