Winmark Co. (NASDAQ:WINA) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Winmark Co. (NASDAQ:WINA) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 179,400 shares, an increase of 21.8% from the April 30th total of 147,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 32,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.6 days. Approximately 6.1% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Anthony D. Ishaug sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $425.95, for a total transaction of $1,703,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 56,683 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,144,123.85. This represents a 6.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 10.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Winmark by 6.8% in the fourth quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 641 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Cavalier Investments LLC increased its holdings in Winmark by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Cavalier Investments LLC now owns 1,742 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $685,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its stake in Winmark by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 785 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in Winmark by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,659 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $652,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Finally, Snowden Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Winmark by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 680 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $267,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.32% of the company’s stock.

Winmark Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:WINA opened at $421.04 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 38.66 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $370.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $373.67. Winmark has a twelve month low of $295.79 and a twelve month high of $434.87.

Winmark (NASDAQ:WINA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 16th. The specialty retailer reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.74 by ($0.03). Winmark had a negative return on equity of 93.24% and a net margin of 49.15%. The business had revenue of $21.92 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.91 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.41 earnings per share.

Winmark Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th were given a $0.96 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 14th. This is a boost from Winmark’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. This represents a $3.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. Winmark’s payout ratio is 34.32%.

About Winmark

Winmark Corporation, a resale company operates as a franchisor for small business in the United States and Canada. The company franchises retail stores concepts that buy, sell and trade merchandise. It also operates middle-market equipment leasing business. In addition, the company buys and sells used clothing and accessories geared toward the teenage and young adult market under Plato’s Closet brand; and operates stores which buys and sells used and new children’s clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, and accessories primarily to parents of children ages infant to 12 years under the Once Upon A Child brand.