Papa John’s International (NASDAQ:PZZA) Hits New 1-Year Low – Should You Sell?

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $22.06 and last traded at $21.92, with a volume of 110659 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.76.

Trending Headlines about Papa John’s International

Here are the key news stories impacting Papa John’s International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Expanded delivery distribution: Walmart is adding Papa John’s to its restaurant-delivery partner network. The arrangement could increase customer reach, order volumes and delivery convenience, although its financial contribution has not been disclosed. Walmart Adds Papa John’s to Restaurant Delivery Partner List
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor and analyst visibility: CEO Todd Penegor is scheduled to participate in a Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference fireside chat on September 16. Investors may look for updates on comparable sales, the transformation strategy and the company’s outlook. Papa Johns to Participate in the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data appears unusable: The report lists zero shares short both currently and in the prior period, with an undefined percentage change. It therefore offers no reliable indication of changing bearish positioning.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple securities-law announcements: Several firms are soliciting investors for a class action covering purchases from August 7, 2025, through August 5, 2026. The allegations reportedly concern claims that Papa John’s portrayed its strategic transformation as successful while North American comparable sales deteriorated. Investors have until November 2, 2026, to seek lead-plaintiff status. The allegations have not been proven, but the publicity adds reputational, legal-cost and potential-liability risks. Faruqi & Faruqi Securities Class Action Deadline

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PZZA has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Benchmark lowered shares of Papa John’s International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. UBS Group reduced their target price on Papa John’s International from $33.00 to $28.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 7th. Mizuho decreased their price target on Papa John’s International from $33.00 to $32.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Stephens reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and set a $24.00 price objective (down from $38.00) on shares of Papa John’s International in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Papa John’s International from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, July 26th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $32.00.

Papa John’s International Stock Down 0.8%

The firm has a market cap of $706.46 million, a P/E ratio of 27.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $31.90.

Papa John’s International (NASDAQ:PZZA) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $482.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $481.25 million. Papa John’s International had a net margin of 1.34% and a negative return on equity of 10.98%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.41 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Papa John’s International, Inc. will post 1.16 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Papa John’s International

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in Papa John’s International in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Persistent Asset Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Papa John’s International during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Papa John’s International during the second quarter valued at approximately $59,000. Skylands Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Papa John’s International in the first quarter worth $65,000. Finally, Leonteq Securities AG purchased a new position in shares of Papa John’s International in the fourth quarter worth $71,000.

About Papa John’s International

Papa John’s International, Inc is a leading American pizza restaurant chain known for its focus on high-quality ingredients and consistent product offerings. Founded in 1984 by John Schnatter in Jeffersonville, Indiana, the company has grown to operate thousands of restaurants across the United States and in more than 40 international markets. Papa John’s restaurants are primarily franchised, supported by a network of corporate-owned outlets that together drive brand standards, operational guidance and marketing efforts.

The core menu at Papa John’s centers on a variety of hand-tossed and pan pizzas made with a signature stone-baked crust and topped with real cheese, vine-ripened tomato sauce and premium meats and vegetables.