MQS Management LLC Purchases Shares of 2,864 Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW)

MQS Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,864 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $305,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. WFA Asset Management Corp increased its position in shares of Lamb Weston by 248.6% during the first quarter. WFA Asset Management Corp now owns 244 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 174 shares during the period. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Lamb Weston during the first quarter worth $32,000. Vima LLC bought a new position in Lamb Weston during the fourth quarter worth $50,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Lamb Weston during the fourth quarter worth $51,000. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its stake in Lamb Weston by 864.0% during the fourth quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 482 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 432 shares in the last quarter. 89.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Lamb Weston Price Performance

NYSE LW traded up $2.89 during trading on Friday, reaching $55.90. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,280,010 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,384,427. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.07 billion, a PE ratio of 7.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $82.71 and a 200 day moving average of $92.03. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $52.99 and a one year high of $111.88.

Lamb Weston Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 2nd will be issued a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.58%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 2nd. Lamb Weston’s payout ratio is currently 19.23%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on LW shares. TD Cowen cut shares of Lamb Weston from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $105.00 to $61.00 in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Lamb Weston from $108.00 to $63.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Barclays lowered their price objective on Lamb Weston from $105.00 to $96.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Citigroup cut their target price on Lamb Weston from $106.00 to $104.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut Lamb Weston from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their target price for the company from $115.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lamb Weston currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $93.10.

About Lamb Weston

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. It offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels.