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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ann Inc Recovers From Opening Dip; Wedbush Initiates At Neutral

Courtesy of Benzinga.

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Ann Inc's (NYSE: ANN) best prospects as an investment lie it its potential as a takeover target, an analyst said Wednesday.

Two activist hedge funds earlier this week again urged Ann's board to consider putting the company on sale. Wedbush's Morry Brown said the retailer's shares are "fairly valued" based on the company's business.

"Upside depends on merger activity," Brown said in a note which didn't comment further on merits of a merger.

Ann opened $0.50 lower, but has almost fully recovered, trading recently at $41.76.

Brown said he held "a mixed view" on Ann's near-term earnings prospects, and launched coverage on Ann with a Neutral rating and $43 target.

Two activist hedge funds earlier this week again urged Ann's board to consider putting the company on sale.

Engine Capital and the investment advising firm Red Alder, which together hold about a one percent stake in Ann, repeated their similar call of last month, although its estimate of the company's value in a sale rose Monday to as much as $65 per share, from $55 in its August letter.

In a statement Monday, Ann said it had met with representatives of the two funds and "none of the analyses contained in their presentation is new to the board."

Latest Ratings for ANN

Date Firm Action From To
Sep 2014 Wedbush Initiates Coverage on Neutral
Aug 2014 UBS Downgrades Buy Neutral
Apr 2014 Bluefin Research Downgrades Market Outperform Market Perform

View More Analyst Ratings for ANN
View the Latest Analyst Ratings

Posted-In: Morry Brown WedbushAnalyst Color News Price Target Initiation M&A Analyst Ratings

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