Laurus Investment Counsel Inc. Cuts Position in Winmark Co. (NASDAQ:WINA)

Laurus Investment Counsel Inc. decreased its position in Winmark Co. (NASDAQ:WINA) by 16.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,620 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 2,340 shares during the quarter. Winmark accounts for approximately 2.3% of Laurus Investment Counsel Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Laurus Investment Counsel Inc. owned about 0.33% of Winmark worth $4,852,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WINA. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Winmark by 7.3% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 231,493 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $76,964,000 after purchasing an additional 15,844 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in Winmark by 11.0% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 162,056 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $53,879,000 after purchasing an additional 16,125 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Winmark by 1.5% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 154,934 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $57,811,000 after purchasing an additional 2,247 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Winmark by 0.4% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 129,219 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $41,405,000 after buying an additional 509 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its position in Winmark by 45.8% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 80,522 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $30,045,000 after buying an additional 25,287 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.32% of the company’s stock.

Winmark Trading Up 3.0 %

Shares of WINA opened at $359.19 on Thursday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $365.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $392.75. Winmark Co. has a twelve month low of $303.99 and a twelve month high of $451.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.56 and a beta of 0.86.

Winmark (NASDAQ:WINA) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The specialty retailer reported $2.64 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $20.04 million for the quarter. Winmark had a net margin of 48.27% and a negative return on equity of 83.98%.

Winmark Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were given a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Winmark’s dividend payout ratio is presently 29.01%.

Winmark Profile

Winmark Corporation, a resale company operates as a franchisor for small business in the United States and Canada. The company franchises retail stores concepts that buy, sell and trade merchandise. It also operates middle-market equipment leasing business. In addition, the company buys and sells used clothing and accessories geared toward the teenage and young adult market under Plato's Closet brand; and operates stores which buys and sells used and new children's clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, and accessories primarily to parents of children ages infant to 12 years under the Once Upon A Child brand.