HighTower Advisors LLC Takes Position in National Vision Holdings, Inc. $EYE

HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EYE) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 58,652 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,712,000. HighTower Advisors LLC owned about 0.07% of National Vision as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in National Vision by 14.7% during the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 3,431 shares of the company’s stock worth $100,000 after buying an additional 440 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of National Vision by 0.9% in the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 68,819 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,583,000 after acquiring an additional 637 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank boosted its stake in shares of National Vision by 2.9% in the third quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 23,112 shares of the company’s stock worth $675,000 after acquiring an additional 650 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of National Vision during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its position in shares of National Vision by 11.7% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 11,463 shares of the company’s stock worth $264,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares in the last quarter.

National Vision Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of EYE opened at $26.97 on Friday. National Vision Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $10.45 and a 12-month high of $30.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.14 billion, a P/E ratio of -898.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.39. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $27.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $26.44. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of National Vision in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of National Vision from $29.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of National Vision from $41.00 to $39.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of National Vision from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Guggenheim raised shares of National Vision to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Vision presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $29.00.

National Vision Profile

National Vision Holdings, Inc is an American optical retailer specializing in accessible vision care and eyewear. The company operates under multiple retail banners, offering comprehensive eye health services and a wide range of optical products. Since its founding in the early 1990s, National Vision has focused on providing value-driven solutions, targeting underserved and price‐conscious consumer segments.

Through its primary retail brands—including America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Optical America and Vista Optical—National Vision delivers services such as comprehensive eye examinations, prescription eyewear, contact lenses, sunglasses and lens accessories.