Sigma Planning Corp Boosts Stake in Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT)

Sigma Planning Corp boosted its position in Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) by 3.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,376 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 161 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp’s holdings in Freshpet were worth $796,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Lecap Asset Management Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Freshpet during the 4th quarter worth approximately $817,000. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Freshpet by 4.7% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 835,663 shares of the company’s stock worth $115,650,000 after purchasing an additional 37,287 shares during the period. Transcendent Capital Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Freshpet during the third quarter worth $1,465,000. Geneva Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Freshpet by 166.2% during the third quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLC now owns 84,221 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,519,000 after purchasing an additional 52,584 shares during the period. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in shares of Freshpet by 198.6% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 381,385 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,065,000 after purchasing an additional 253,679 shares during the last quarter.

Freshpet Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of Freshpet stock opened at $107.04 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $143.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $142.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 113.87 and a beta of 1.42. Freshpet, Inc. has a 12-month low of $97.48 and a 12-month high of $164.07. The company has a current ratio of 4.72, a quick ratio of 3.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.36. The firm had revenue of $262.71 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $275.46 million. Freshpet had a return on equity of 3.92% and a net margin of 4.81%. Analysts predict that Freshpet, Inc. will post 1.55 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, President Scott James Morris sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.38, for a total value of $786,900.00. Following the sale, the president now owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at $19,260,164.40. This represents a 3.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 3.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Freshpet from $160.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on shares of Freshpet from $180.00 to $140.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. DA Davidson boosted their price target on Freshpet from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Freshpet from $161.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on Freshpet from $155.00 to $142.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $156.47.

Freshpet Profile

Freshpet, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and markets natural fresh meals and treats for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It sells dog food, cat food, and dog treats under the Freshpet brand name; and Dognation and Dog Joy labels through various classes of retail, including grocery, mass, club, pet specialty, and natural, as well as online.