Franklin Resources Inc. Reduces Stock Holdings in Vipshop Holdings Limited (NYSE:VIPS)

Franklin Resources Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Vipshop Holdings Limited (NYSE:VIPS) by 3.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 369,038 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 13,884 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of Vipshop worth $4,971,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of Vipshop by 17.5% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 9,972 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $134,000 after acquiring an additional 1,487 shares during the period. Atomi Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Vipshop by 10.8% during the 4th quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 12,241 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $165,000 after purchasing an additional 1,191 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new stake in Vipshop in the 4th quarter worth about $165,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in Vipshop in the fourth quarter worth about $175,000. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Vipshop during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $210,000. 48.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Vipshop Price Performance

Shares of Vipshop stock opened at $13.15 on Friday. Vipshop Holdings Limited has a 1 year low of $11.50 and a 1 year high of $17.94. The stock has a market cap of $6.75 billion, a PE ratio of 6.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.53. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $15.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.63.

Vipshop (NYSE:VIPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The technology company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.70 by ($0.05). Vipshop had a net margin of 7.50% and a return on equity of 20.89%. The company had revenue of $4.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.82 billion. As a group, equities analysts expect that Vipshop Holdings Limited will post 1.95 EPS for the current year.

Vipshop Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Friday, April 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 11th. Vipshop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.24%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup downgraded Vipshop from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $18.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. StockNews.com upgraded Vipshop from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Vipshop from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $15.30.

Vipshop Company Profile

Vipshop Holdings Limited operates online platforms in the People's Republic of China. It operates in Vip.com, Shan Shan Outlets, and Others segments. The company offers womenswear, menswear, sportswear and sporting goods, shoes and bags, accessories, baby and children products, skincare and cosmetics, home goods and other lifestyle products, and supermarket products.