Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) Lifted to Sell at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) to a sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on FRPT. Citigroup initiated coverage on Freshpet in a report on Thursday, February 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $94.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Freshpet from $100.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Freshpet from $67.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of Freshpet from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Truist Financial upgraded Freshpet from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $120.00 to $135.00 in a report on Monday, March 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $119.71.

Freshpet Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of NASDAQ FRPT opened at $120.70 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -170.00 and a beta of 1.24. Freshpet has a 52 week low of $54.60 and a 52 week high of $127.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $110.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $90.00. The company has a quick ratio of 4.08, a current ratio of 4.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.09 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $215.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $204.93 million. Freshpet had a negative net margin of 4.38% and a negative return on equity of 3.56%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 29.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.06) earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Freshpet will post 0.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Freshpet

In related news, EVP Stephen Macchiaverna sold 7,130 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.53, for a total value of $773,818.90. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 85,056 shares in the company, valued at $9,231,127.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, COO Scott James Morris sold 3,632 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.86, for a total value of $399,011.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at $13,444,666.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Stephen Macchiaverna sold 7,130 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.53, for a total value of $773,818.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 85,056 shares in the company, valued at $9,231,127.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 15,762 shares of company stock valued at $1,737,280. Company insiders own 3.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Freshpet

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in Freshpet by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 249,021 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,852,000 after buying an additional 10,456 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freshpet during the first quarter worth about $287,000. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Freshpet in the first quarter worth about $17,845,000. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC boosted its holdings in Freshpet by 16.2% in the first quarter. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC now owns 68,215 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,903,000 after purchasing an additional 9,530 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Freshpet during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $295,000.

Freshpet Company 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.