Short Interest in The Children’s Place, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLCE) Expands By 23.2%

The Children’s Place, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLCE) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,882,573 shares, an increase of 23.2% from the December 15th total of 2,339,206 shares. Approximately 13.1% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,155,772 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,155,772 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days. Approximately 13.1% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on PLCE shares. UBS Group cut their target price on Children’s Place from $5.50 to $4.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Children’s Place in a research report on Friday, January 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Children’s Place currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $4.50.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Children’s Place

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Children’s Place during the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Corton Capital Inc. purchased a new position in Children’s Place during the 2nd quarter valued at about $48,000. Founders Financial Securities LLC purchased a new position in Children’s Place during the 3rd quarter valued at about $62,000. Keel Point LLC bought a new stake in Children’s Place during the third quarter worth about $69,000. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Children’s Place in the third quarter worth about $99,000.

Children’s Place Price Performance

PLCE stock opened at $4.52 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 75.63, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.19. Children’s Place has a 1 year low of $3.66 and a 1 year high of $11.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $6.22 and a 200 day moving average of $6.15. The company has a market cap of $100.21 million, a P/E ratio of -1.73 and a beta of 1.87.

Children’s Place (NASDAQ:PLCE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 16th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.70 by ($0.88). The business had revenue of $339.47 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $370.29 million.

Children’s Place Company Profile

The Children’s Place, Inc (NASDAQ: PLCE) is a leading specialty retailer of children’s apparel, footwear and accessories, operating an omnichannel platform that serves families across North America. Headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, the company combines an extensive network of brick-and-mortar stores with a full-service e-commerce site to deliver a wide range of private-label products for newborns, toddlers and kids up to pre-teen. By focusing on value-priced, fashion-forward merchandise, The Children’s Place has built a recognizable brand in the youth apparel market.

The company’s product portfolio encompasses core categories such as tops, bottoms, sleepwear and outerwear, along with footwear and seasonal accessories.