Nordstrom announced upbeat fourth-quarter results and lifted its forecast
Nordstrom Inc (NYSE:JWN) stock is on track for its best day ever, up 31.5% to trade at $25.68 at last glance, after the retailer's better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and strong 2022 guidance. No fewer than five analysts lifted their price targets after the event, with three raising it to $30.
Analysts have yet to toss JWN an upgrade however, as they are still hesitant on the stock in terms of its consistency for the full year. Cowen and Company stated that it looks for steadiness in off-price channel as performance has been mixed. There is plenty of room for a shift in sentiment -- which could provide tailwinds -- as 10 of the 11 brokerages in coverage carry a "hold" or worse rating.
It's also worth noting that short interest represents 22.1% of the stock's available float. At JWN's average pace of trading, it would take over four days to buy back these bearish bets -- plenty of pent-up buying power.
Today's pop has Nordstrom stock at its highest level since its late November post-earnings bear gap, and further distancing itself from its Feb. 24, 14-month low of $18.65. However, the stock's 140-day moving average appears to be swooping in as overhead pressure. Year-to-date, JWN is up 14.9%.
Unsurprisingly, options traders are targeting the security at 28 times what's typically seen at this point, with 39,000 calls and 21,000 puts across the tape so far. The March 23 and 20 calls are the most popular, with new positions being bought to open at the weekly 3/4 30-strike call.