Algert Global LLC Buys 5,817 Shares of Wingstop Inc. $WING

Algert Global LLC increased its stake in Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) by 25.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 28,277 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,817 shares during the quarter. Algert Global LLC owned approximately 0.10% of Wingstop worth $7,117,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Wingstop by 23.3% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,557,383 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $524,433,000 after purchasing an additional 294,786 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in Wingstop by 50.0% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 949,033 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $238,853,000 after acquiring an additional 316,328 shares during the period. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its position in Wingstop by 20.8% during the 3rd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 890,451 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $224,109,000 after acquiring an additional 153,082 shares during the last quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC lifted its position in Wingstop by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 767,208 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $193,091,000 after acquiring an additional 26,111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors boosted its holdings in Wingstop by 160.6% during the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 740,896 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $186,469,000 after acquiring an additional 456,637 shares during the period.

Wingstop Trading Down 2.1%

Shares of WING stock opened at $199.22 on Tuesday. Wingstop Inc. has a 12 month low of $192.87 and a 12 month high of $388.14. The company has a market capitalization of $5.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.82. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $254.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $255.24.

Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 18th. The restaurant operator reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $175.69 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $177.74 million. Wingstop had a negative return on equity of 16.12% and a net margin of 25.01%.Wingstop’s quarterly revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.92 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Wingstop Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wingstop Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. Wingstop’s payout ratio is 19.42%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on WING shares. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Wingstop in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Citigroup increased their target price on Wingstop from $267.00 to $286.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $400.00 target price on shares of Wingstop in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Wingstop from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Wingstop in a report on Monday, December 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $337.29.

Insider Transactions at Wingstop

In other Wingstop news, Director Wesley S. Mcdonald sold 566 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $141,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,375 shares in the company, valued at $1,093,750. This trade represents a 11.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Kilandigalu Madati sold 2,700 shares of Wingstop stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.73, for a total value of $703,971.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 2,583 shares in the company, valued at $673,465.59. The trade was a 51.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.72% of the company’s stock.

About Wingstop

Wingstop Inc (NASDAQ: WING) is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken wings and related menu items. Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, the company has built its brand around bold, chef-inspired wing flavors and a streamlined service model that caters to dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering orders.

The company’s core offerings include both bone-in and boneless chicken wings tossed in a variety of proprietary rubs and sauces, such as Original Hot, Lemon Pepper, and Mango Habanero.