DKS is pacing for its best session ever
One of the latest retailers to step up to the earnings plate was Dick's Sporting Goods Inc (NYSE:DKS), and the athletic apparel store hit it out of the park. Dick's reported first-quarter earnings and revenue that handily beat estimates, while raising its 2018 profit forecast. At last check, DKS stock was up 23.8% to trade at $37.75 -- on pace for its best day ever, and the top early gainer on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today.
DKS shares pulled back to a historically bullish trendline earlier this month, and have relied on support at the $30 level in 2018. The burst today has the equity trading above $36 for the first time since August.
A short squeeze could give DKS more room to run. Short interest fell in the two most recent reporting periods, yet the 11.30 million shares sold short still represents 14% of DKS' total available float. At the security's average pace of trading, it would take about a week to buy back these bearish bets -- plenty of fuel for a short squeeze, should the stock extend its rally.
Upgrades or bullish brokerage notes could push the stock higher as well. Of the 23 brokerages covering DKS, 14 rate it a "hold" or "strong sell." Plus, the stock's consensus 12-month price target of $35.63 now sits below its current perch.
Options traders have piled on the retailer in early trading. At last check, over 22,000 options have changed hands -- a whopping 21 times the average intraday volume and pacing for the 99th annual percentile. New positions are being initiated at the stock's June 35 put, while the June 36 put is most active, with more than 4,000 contracts exchanged.