GPRO will launch three lower-priced versions of its Hero camera
The shares of GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) are up 3.3% in electronic trading, after the camera maker reported earnings last night. A round of upbeat analyst notes is only adding to the bullish buzz, with GPRO stock set to battle with a key technical level in today's trading.
GoPro recorded an adjusted second-quarter loss of 15 cents per share -- narrower than analysts were expecting. Revenue came in at a stronger-than-expected $282.7 million, while the company also gave a strong current-quarter revenue forecast and announced the holiday season release of three new lower-priced versions of its Hero camera.
In reaction, Cowen and Company and Wedbush lifted their GPRO price targets to $6 and $7, respectively. Most analysts are bearish on GoPro stock, and the pessimism is echoed by short sellers. There are currently 24.41 million shares sold short, representing 24% of the stock's available float, or 9.1 times the average daily pace of trading.
Options traders have been skeptical, too. The weekly 8/3 7-strike put is one of GPRO's top open interest positions, with 10,004 contracts outstanding here. Trade-Alert indicates the bulk of this activity occurred on Wednesday, July 11, when the options were bought to open for a volume-weighted average price of $0.84 -- making breakeven at tonight's close $6.16 (strike less premium paid).
Looking at the charts, GPRO stock's rally off its early April record low near $4.40 has recently found a formidable foe in the 200-day moving average. This trendline closed last night at $6.50, with GoPro settling at $5.99. The security is set to close in on this technical ceiling today, though, with the shares expected to open the trading session near $6.16.