Algert Global LLC Sells 14,440 Shares of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM)

Algert Global LLC lowered its position in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) by 28.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 37,100 shares of the company’s stock after selling 14,440 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC’s holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market were worth $4,096,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market by 223.5% during the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 317 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market in the third quarter worth about $38,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 80.6% in the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 363 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 162 shares during the period.

Sprouts Farmers Market Price Performance

Shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock opened at $147.98 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $14.80 billion, a PE ratio of 42.77, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.54. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $122.58 and a 200 day moving average of $99.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 12 month low of $41.27 and a 12 month high of $149.89.

Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.14. Sprouts Farmers Market had a return on equity of 28.24% and a net margin of 4.73%. The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.65 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 3.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on SFM shares. Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $107.00 target price for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $63.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $102.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Evercore ISI raised their price target on Sprouts Farmers Market from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on Sprouts Farmers Market from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $115.40.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Joe Fortunato sold 11,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.84, for a total value of $1,527,660.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 33,571 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,459,571.64. This represents a 25.52 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 5,714 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.09, for a total transaction of $577,628.26. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 222,432 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,485,650.88. This represents a 2.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 43,051 shares of company stock valued at $5,133,932 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

About Sprouts Farmers Market

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the retailing of fresh, natural, and organic food products under the Sprouts brand in the United States. It offers perishable product categories, including fresh produce, meat and meat alternatives, seafood, deli, bakery, floral, and dairy and dairy alternatives; and non-perishable product categories, such as grocery, vitamins and supplements, bulk items, frozen foods, beer and wine, and natural health and body care.