Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) Stock Rating Lowered by Wall Street Zen

Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) was downgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note issued on Saturday.

Several other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Krispy Kreme in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Singular Research upgraded Krispy Kreme to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Zacks Research raised shares of Krispy Kreme from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and set a $3.00 target price on shares of Krispy Kreme in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $5.59.

Krispy Kreme Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of DNUT stock opened at $2.95 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The firm has a market cap of $505.34 million, a P/E ratio of -0.99 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a 50 day moving average of $3.84 and a 200-day moving average of $3.70. Krispy Kreme has a 12-month low of $2.50 and a 12-month high of $9.43.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Krispy Kreme

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DNUT. Arizona State Retirement System grew its stake in Krispy Kreme by 11.9% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 27,771 shares of the company’s stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 2,961 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in Krispy Kreme by 34.5% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 12,378 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 3,178 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd grew its position in shares of Krispy Kreme by 33.4% during the 3rd quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 14,216 shares of the company’s stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 3,556 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG increased its holdings in shares of Krispy Kreme by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 83,611 shares of the company’s stock worth $336,000 after purchasing an additional 3,638 shares during the period. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Krispy Kreme by 1,229.5% in the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 8,469 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 7,832 shares during the period. 81.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Krispy Kreme News

Here are the key news stories impacting Krispy Kreme this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Krispy Kreme announced a national Friday the 13th promotion that will distribute 13,000 free-dozen coupons, generating widespread national coverage and likely short-term store traffic and brand attention. Krispy Kreme has launched a massive doughnut giveaway — here’s how to win a free dozen
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple consumer outlets (MSN, Yahoo, Cheapism, NYPost) amplified the promotion with local coupon details and how-to-claim guides, which can drive incremental visits, digital engagement and loyalty sign-ups—useful marketing tailwinds even if short-term revenue is limited. Krispy Kreme to Give Away 13,000 Free Dozen Coupons on Friday the 13th
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data posted for February appears inconsistent (reports show 0 shares with an “increase of NaN”), suggesting a data or reporting glitch rather than a meaningful shift in short interest; this item is unlikely to change fundamentals while it remains unclear.
• Negative Sentiment: Underlying fundamentals remain a headwind: low liquidity (current ratio ~0.36, quick ratio ~0.30), negative P/E, and the share price sits below the 50-day moving average—factors that continue to cap valuation and increase downside risk absent improving sales/earnings.

About Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc (NASDAQ: DNUT) is a global retailer and wholesaler renowned for its signature Original Glazed doughnut and a variety of other sweet treats. The company operates through a combination of company-owned stores, franchise outlets and strategic partnerships with supermarkets, convenience stores and other foodservice channels. In addition to its doughnut portfolio, Krispy Kreme offers freshly brewed coffee, assorted beverages and proprietary seasonal items designed to drive traffic and foster brand loyalty.

Founded in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by Vernon Rudolph, Krispy Kreme has grown from a single local shop to a multinational brand.