BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ) has recently received a “Hold” rating from fifteen research firms covering the company, according to Bloomberg reports. While one analyst issued a sell rating, six recommended holding the stock, and eight assigned a buy rating. Despite mixed opinions from analysts, the average twelve-month price objective among companies that have covered BJ’s Wholesale Club in the past year is $74.40.
Headquartered in the eastern United States, BJ’s Wholesale Club and its subsidiaries operate warehouse clubs that offer a broad range of products such as general merchandise, gas, coupon books, promotions, and perishables. The company also sells its products online through websites like BJs.com or mobile apps.
Recent changes in positions by hedge funds could hint at changes in investor confidence with BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC added shares valued at $25K to their holdings during Q1 while Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its position by 1,364% during Q1 and owns 366 shares worth $28K today after buying an additional 341 shares since then. ST Germain D J Co., Inc purchased new positions estimated at $26k while CoreCap Advisors LLC followed with slightly more substantial stakes worth approximately $30k bought during the fourth quarter of last year alone. Harvest Fund Management Co., Ltd brings up the tail end with additional investment in Q1 valued at about $35k; institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.02% of the company’s stock.
Overall stability rules among ratings for BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings despite some dissenting opinions among analysts; investors are hedging their bets on this seemingly consistent enterprise awaiting further insight into whether it can maintain steady growth and profits over time going forward.
[bs_slider_forecast ticker=”BJ”]
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc: A Look at the Flurry of Analyst Reports and Future Growth Plans
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc has been at the center of a flurry of analyst reports in recent times. Reports from Credit Suisse Group, DA Davidson and Evercore ISI have all weighed in on the company’s shares and their research notes have painted an intriguing picture of the warehouse retailer. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft also released its report on BJ’s Wholesale Club, reducing its target price to $77.00, whereas Morgan Stanley had dropped its objective from $77.00 to $72.00 back in May.
Despite these varying views, one can’t ignore that the company is always looking for ways to grow its business and improve shareholder value. With operations across multiple states, BJ’s Wholesale Club is able to offer a diverse set of services, ranging from perishable foods, gasoline and general merchandise items to promotional coupons, ancillary services and more.
Not content with operating solely as a bricks-and-mortar business model, BJ’s Wholesale Club is also pushing further into digital channels through platforms such as BJs.com and Wellsleyfarms.com as well as their mobile app which will drive customer engagement even further.
As for stock performance, BJ opened at $62.33 on Tuesday with market capitalization standing at $8.38 billion, a PE ratio of 16.49 and a P/E/G ratio of 2.10 alongside a beta figure of 0.49. Moving averages are still quite fluid with 50-day simple moving average currently showing as $68.12 while the 200-day simple moving average has pitched up slightly higher at $70.66.
However one piece of information that stands out above all for stockholders is Executive Vice President Monica Schwartz who sold off some 15k shares within the past week – netting almost a cool million dollars in doing so.
So where does this leave us?
On paper it may be difficult to gauge BJ’s true value but under a closer lens, the company’s shares and their varied reviews provide food for thought. It is evident that BJ’s Wholesale Club is making strides in technology as far as engaging with customers online goes and this can only lead to growth in the years to come. But concerns linger over stock price dropping in other quarters especially since insider trading persists too.
One thing though is certain – BJ’s Wholesale Club will continue to attract savvy investors’ attention who will explore both the positive and negative angles of this warehouse club operator.