Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE:BIG) Receives Average Recommendation of “Strong Sell” from Brokerages

Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE:BIG) has received an average recommendation of “Strong Sell” from the five research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and one has assigned a hold recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $5.25.

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Big Lots from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Loop Capital lowered shares of Big Lots from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reduced their target price on Big Lots from $7.00 to $5.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Big Lots

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. AJOVista LLC acquired a new stake in Big Lots during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Big Lots in the 4th quarter worth approximately $95,000. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of Big Lots during the 1st quarter worth approximately $54,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Big Lots by 1,676.6% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 14,408 shares of the company’s stock valued at $112,000 after purchasing an additional 13,597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Big Lots in the 4th quarter valued at $125,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.96% of the company’s stock.

Big Lots Stock Performance

Shares of BIG stock opened at $3.68 on Friday. Big Lots has a 12-month low of $3.13 and a 12-month high of $11.06. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $3.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The company has a market cap of $108.45 million, a PE ratio of -0.22 and a beta of 2.33.

Big Lots (NYSE:BIG) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported ($0.28) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by ($0.05). Big Lots had a negative net margin of 10.20% and a negative return on equity of 90.53%. The business had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.28) earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Big Lots will post -10.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Big Lots Company Profile

Big Lots, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a home discount retailer in the United States. The company offers products under various merchandising categories, such as furniture category that includes upholstery, mattresses, home décor, case goods, and ready-to-assemble departments; seasonal category, which comprises patio furniture, gazebos, Christmas trim, lawn and garden, and other holiday departments; soft home category consists of apparel, hosiery, jewelry; frames, fashion and utility bedding, bath, window, decorative textiles, and area rugs departments; and food category that includes beverages and grocery, specialty foods, and candy and snacks departments.