Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $26.7857.

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $27.00 target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $27.00 target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Levi Strauss & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $25.00 target price for the company. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a report on Wednesday, April 8th.

Insider Transactions at Levi Strauss & Co.

In other news, major shareholder Robert D. Haas sold 176,549 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.01, for a total transaction of $3,885,843.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Harmit J. Singh sold 121,767 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.52, for a total value of $2,863,959.84. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 148,757 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,498,764.64. This represents a 45.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 578,254 shares of company stock worth $12,966,873. 1.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Levi Strauss & Co.

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LEVI. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 260.5% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,121 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 810 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 140.7% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,425 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 833 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. during the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 133.5% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 3,286 shares of the blue-jean maker’s stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 1,879 shares during the period. 69.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Levi Strauss & Co. Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of LEVI opened at $23.40 on Thursday. Levi Strauss & Co. has a 52-week low of $16.50 and a 52-week high of $24.82. The company has a market capitalization of $9.00 billion, a PE ratio of 14.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 1.35. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $21.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $21.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 7th. The blue-jean maker reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.05. Levi Strauss & Co. had a return on equity of 25.35% and a net margin of 9.52%.The business had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.38 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Levi Strauss & Co. will post 1.5 EPS for the current year.

Levi Strauss & Co. Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.14 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 22nd. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Levi Strauss & Co.’s dividend payout ratio is currently 35.67%.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss & Co is a global apparel company best known for its denim jeans and casual wear. Founded in 1853 in San Francisco by Bavarian immigrant Levi Strauss, the company pioneered the modern blue jean with the introduction of rivet-reinforced work pants. Over its more than 160-year history, Levi Strauss has evolved into a lifestyle brand, offering a broad portfolio that includes denim for men, women and children, as well as tops, outerwear, footwear and accessories.

The company’s flagship label, Levi’s®, is recognized worldwide for its iconic styles such as the 501® Original Fit Jeans, while additional brands, including Dockers®, Target core metric, and Denizen® by Levi’s, cater to diverse price points and consumer segments.