Vera Bradley (NASDAQ:VRA) Shares Cross Above 200 Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA)’s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $2.31 and traded as high as $2.63. Vera Bradley shares last traded at $2.58, with a volume of 95,531 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on VRA shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Vera Bradley from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Sunday, October 26th. Zacks Research downgraded Vera Bradley from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vera Bradley currently has a consensus rating of “Sell”.

Vera Bradley Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 2.52. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.31. The firm has a market cap of $72.11 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.74 and a beta of 1.80.

Vera Bradley (NASDAQ:VRA) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, December 11th. The textile maker reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.11) by $0.07. The company had revenue of $62.25 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $61.69 million. Vera Bradley had a negative return on equity of 18.30% and a negative net margin of 34.23%.During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.27) earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Vera Bradley, Inc. will post -0.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Vera Bradley

In other news, Director Andrew Meslow bought 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The stock was bought at an average price of $1.93 per share, for a total transaction of $96,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 600,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,158,000. This trade represents a 9.09% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 10.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vera Bradley

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VRA. Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd bought a new position in shares of Vera Bradley during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vera Bradley during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in Vera Bradley during the second quarter worth $28,000. Emissary Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Vera Bradley during the fourth quarter worth $51,000. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new position in Vera Bradley in the third quarter worth $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 59.88% of the company’s stock.

Vera Bradley Company Profile

Vera Bradley, Inc (NASDAQ: VRA) is a lifestyle and accessories designer specializing in colorful, patterned handbags, luggage, travel accessories and coordinated home décor. Founded in 1982 by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the company first gained recognition for its quilted cotton bags sold at craft shows before expanding into an established fashion brand. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Vera Bradley has built a reputation for distinctive prints and functional design aimed primarily at women’s casual and travel needs.

The company’s product portfolio includes day bags, weekenders, backpacks, wallets, and organizational cases, as well as an expanding range of travel gear such as rolling luggage and travel pouches.