The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eleven have issued a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $30.3846.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research lowered GAP from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Evercore increased their target price on shares of GAP from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of GAP in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $30.00 target price on GAP and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, BTIG Research increased their price target on GAP from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Julie Gruber sold 62,073 shares of GAP stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.00, for a total transaction of $1,675,971.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 37,395 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,009,665. This trade represents a 62.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert J. Fisher sold 500,000 shares of GAP stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.45, for a total value of $13,725,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 2,329,502 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $63,944,829.90. This trade represents a 17.67% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 1,349,044 shares of company stock worth $36,857,065 over the last quarter. Insiders own 30.56% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On GAP

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new stake in GAP in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in GAP in the third quarter worth $27,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd bought a new position in GAP in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of GAP during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of GAP in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.81% of the company’s stock.

GAP Price Performance

Shares of GAP opened at $27.66 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $27.04 and its 200 day moving average is $24.18. GAP has a 12-month low of $16.99 and a 12-month high of $29.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market cap of $10.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 2.32.

GAP (NYSE:GAP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.04. GAP had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 24.91%. The business had revenue of $3.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.72 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that GAP will post 2.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

GAP Company Profile

Gap Inc is a global specialty retailer renowned for its portfolio of apparel and accessories brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. The company designs, sources and markets clothing across a broad price range and style spectrum, catering to men, women and children. Its offerings extend from everyday wardrobe essentials such as denim, tees and outerwear to performance and lifestyle pieces, reflecting each brand’s distinct identity and price point.

Founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher, Gap Inc has grown into one of the world’s largest apparel companies.