Piper Jaffray Reports on First Quarter Earnings

Piper Jaffray released a first quarter earnings preview for Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.VSI as well as an update on VSI rating. The company's rating continues to be Overweight. Piper Jaffray estimates VSI will continue to be a fast-growing stock with a “10% unit growth and 12.2% total sales growth in 2011.” In the report, Piper Jaffray states the strong trends in Sports Nutrition and Specialty Vitamins will continue to drive the company's growth. Vitamin Shoppe's “innovation and new product launches in the sports nutrition category will continue to appeal to customers.” The price target remains at $36, but Piper Jaffray plans to reevaluate this target following Vitamin Shoppe's earnings announcement. On Friday, VSI closed at $36.66.