The brokerage lowered VRM's rating to "undeweight"
Used car retailer and e-commerce concern Vroom Inc (NASDAQ:VRM) is struggling, after J.P. Morgan Securities downgraded the equity to "underweight" from "neutral." The analyst in question cited a broader economic slowdown, which is expected to weigh on the shares. At last check, VRM is down 4.3% at $2.03.
The brokerage bunch was already skeptical on Vroom stock coming into today, with eight of the 10 analysts in question carrying a tepid "hold" rating. And though short interest is down 11.2% in the last two reporting periods, the 28.50 million shares sold short make up 21.6% of the stock's available float.
The security is looking to add to its steep 93% year-over-year deficit today. The shares just hit a June 13, all-time low of $1.03, and failed to conquer the 140-day moving average last week after losing steam just south of the $3 level.
An unwinding of optimism in the options pits could pressure VRM even lower. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the stock sports a 50-day call/put open interest ratio of 8.38, which ranks higher than 77% of readings from the past year. This means long calls have been getting picked up at a much faster-than-usual clip.