One brokerage firm downgraded PLNT stock to "hold"
Berenberg downgraded Planet Fitness Inc (NYSE:PLNT) stock to "hold" from "buy," and slashed its price target to $69 from $80 -- a slight discount to Friday's close at $70.61. In reaction, PLNT stock is down 2.3% in early trading, last seen at $68.99.
The equity's longer-term trend has been higher, though, with PLNT up almost 44% since a late-December bounce off its 160-day moving average. Plus, Planet Fitness stock's August slide was contained by its rising 200-day moving average, with the shares stringing together four wins in the last five trading sessions of August.
The bulk of analysts remain bullish on the gym operator. Prior to today, 11 of 14 covering brokerages maintained a "buy" or better rating on PLNT stock, with not a single "sell" on the books. Meanwhile, the average 12-month price target of $81.82 is a nearly 20% premium to current levels.
The optimism is seen in the options pits, too. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), PLNT's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 16.41 ranks in the 96th annual percentile, meaning calls have been bought to open over puts at a quicker-than-usual clip.
Drilling down, the September 70 call has seen the biggest rise in open interest over this two-week time frame. Data from the major options exchanges confirms notable buy-to-open activity at this strike, meaning options traders are betting the stock will settle above $70 at the close on Friday, Sept. 20, when front-month options expire.