Winmark Corporation (NASDAQ:WINA) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Winmark Corporation (NASDAQ:WINA) saw a large growth in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 317,625 shares, a growth of 55.4% from the January 15th total of 204,447 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 134,942 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.4 days. Currently, 9.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 9.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 134,942 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.4 days.

Winmark Trading Up 3.8%

Shares of Winmark stock opened at $455.77 on Friday. Winmark has a 52 week low of $295.79 and a 52 week high of $527.37. The stock has a market cap of $1.62 billion, a PE ratio of 40.62 and a beta of 0.68. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $432.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $438.18.

Winmark Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.96 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 11th. This represents a $3.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. Winmark’s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.22%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Winmark in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy”.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WINA. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Winmark by 19.0% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 213 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $80,000 after buying an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Winmark by 6.9% during the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 545 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $221,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Mariner LLC raised its position in shares of Winmark by 3.9% during the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 933 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $464,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Winmark by 1.3% during the third quarter. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,402 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Winmark by 1.0% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,229 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $2,105,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.32% of the company’s stock.

About Winmark

Winmark Corporation (NASDAQ: WINA) is a franchisor of retail resale stores, specializing in the resale of apparel, sporting goods, children’s and maternity clothing, toys, and entertainment media. Through its portfolio of well-known brands—such as Plato’s Closet, Once Upon a Child, Play It Again Sports, and Style Encore—Winmark provides aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to own and operate neighborhood resale businesses. The company supports its franchisees with site selection, store design, training programs, and ongoing marketing assistance, emphasizing a turnkey approach to retail entrepreneurship.

Each of Winmark’s franchised brands targets a distinct consumer segment.