The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GPS) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GPS) have been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the sixteen analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $26.51.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on GPS. Telsey Advisory Group lifted their price target on shares of GAP from $22.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Daiwa America raised GAP to a “moderate buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 5th. Bank of America upgraded GAP from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $18.50 to $25.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of GAP in a research note on Saturday, August 31st. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of GAP from $28.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, June 3rd.

GAP Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market cap of $9.21 billion, a PE ratio of 13.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 2.38. GAP has a 12 month low of $9.38 and a 12 month high of $30.75. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $22.85.

GAP Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 9th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of ∞. GAP’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.33%.

Insider Activity at GAP

In other GAP news, Director Tracy Gardner sold 2,934 shares of GAP stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.48, for a total transaction of $68,890.32. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 51,901 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,218,635.48. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 30.81% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On GAP

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in GPS. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in GAP during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd lifted its holdings in GAP by 37.2% in the first quarter. Plato Investment Management Ltd now owns 1,965 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $54,000 after buying an additional 533 shares during the period. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S bought a new stake in GAP during the fourth quarter valued at $73,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in GAP by 4,441.3% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 4,950 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock worth $118,000 after acquiring an additional 4,841 shares during the period. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of GAP in the 4th quarter worth about $197,000. 58.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About GAP

The Gap, Inc operates as an apparel retail company. The company offers apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. Its products include adult apparel and accessories; and fitness and lifestyle products for use in yoga, training, sports, travel, and everyday activities for women and girls.