StockNews.com Downgrades SunOpta (NASDAQ:STKL) to Sell

SunOpta (NASDAQ:STKL) (TSE:SOY) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Sunday.

SunOpta Price Performance

Shares of SunOpta stock opened at $5.30 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. SunOpta has a 12 month low of $2.79 and a 12 month high of $7.59. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $5.54 and a 200 day moving average of $5.96. The firm has a market cap of $632.50 million, a PE ratio of -3.45 and a beta of 1.85.

SunOpta (NASDAQ:STKL) (TSE:SOY) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.02. SunOpta had a positive return on equity of 2.50% and a negative net margin of 24.00%. The firm had revenue of $182.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.87 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.05 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that SunOpta will post 0.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of SunOpta

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in STKL. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new position in SunOpta in the fourth quarter worth about $65,000. Realta Investment Advisors bought a new position in shares of SunOpta during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in SunOpta during the 4th quarter valued at $71,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in SunOpta by 89.3% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 14,506 shares of the company’s stock valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 6,843 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in SunOpta by 18.2% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 12,425 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 1,917 shares during the last quarter. 85.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

SunOpta Company Profile

SunOpta Inc engages in manufacture and sale of plant-based and fruit-based food and beverage products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company provides plant-based beverages utilizing oat, almond, soy, coconut, rice, hemp, and other bases under the Dream and West Life brands; oat-based creamers under the SOWN brand; ready-to-drink protein shakes; and nut, grain, seed, and legume based beverages; packaged teas and concentrates; and meat and vegetable broths and stocks.