The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHEF) Receives Average Recommendation of “Buy” from Brokerages

The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHEF) has been given an average rating of “Buy” by the five brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $67.60.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on CHEF shares. Benchmark lifted their price target on Chefs’ Warehouse from $55.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Lake Street Capital lifted their price target on Chefs’ Warehouse from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Chefs’ Warehouse from $60.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Chefs’ Warehouse from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on Chefs’ Warehouse from $60.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th.

Chefs’ Warehouse Stock Performance

Shares of CHEF opened at $62.35 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 2.04 and a quick ratio of 1.30. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $55.63 and a 200-day moving average of $47.07. The company has a market cap of $2.51 billion, a PE ratio of 47.60 and a beta of 2.29. Chefs’ Warehouse has a one year low of $31.96 and a one year high of $66.51.

Chefs’ Warehouse (NASDAQ:CHEF) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.04. Chefs’ Warehouse had a return on equity of 12.90% and a net margin of 1.46%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Chefs’ Warehouse will post 1.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Chefs’ Warehouse news, CFO James Leddy sold 4,000 shares of Chefs’ Warehouse stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.85, for a total transaction of $195,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 145,589 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,112,022.65. This trade represents a 2.67 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 11.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chefs’ Warehouse

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse by 303.4% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 593 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 446 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse by 24.6% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,202 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 237 shares during the period. KBC Group NV raised its holdings in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse by 67.1% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,100 shares of the company’s stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 843 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new stake in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse in the 4th quarter worth approximately $201,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse in the 4th quarter worth approximately $224,000. Institutional investors own 91.55% of the company’s stock.

Chefs’ Warehouse Company Profile

The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East, and Canada. The company’s product portfolio includes specialty food products, such as artisan charcuterie, specialty cheeses, unique oils and vinegars, truffles, caviar, chocolate, and pastry products; and center-of-the-plate products consisting of custom cut beef, seafood, and hormone-free poultry, as well as broadline food products comprising cooking oils, butter, eggs, milk, and flour.