Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM) Sets New 1-Year High – Still a Buy?

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $135.83 and last traded at $135.80, with a volume of 248671 shares. The stock had previously closed at $131.79.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on SFM shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $127.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Melius Research initiated coverage on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $105.00 price objective for the company. Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $58.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $90.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Sprouts Farmers Market currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $115.40.

Sprouts Farmers Market Trading Up 3.5 %

The business’s fifty day moving average is $112.27 and its 200-day moving average is $93.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.08 billion, a PE ratio of 40.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01.

Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.14. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 4.73% and a return on equity of 28.24%. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.65 earnings per share. Sprouts Farmers Market’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 3.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Sprouts Farmers Market

In other news, Director Joe Fortunato sold 11,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.84, for a total transaction of $1,527,660.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 33,571 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,459,571.64. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Joe Fortunato sold 11,500 shares of the company’s 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 directly owns 33,571 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,459,571.64. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 5,714 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.60, for a total transaction of $757,676.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 199,576 shares in the company, valued at $26,463,777.60. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 73,999 shares of company stock valued at $8,148,868. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Sprouts Farmers Market

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SFM. Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 223.5% during the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 317 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the second quarter worth about $29,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the third quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,425.8% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 473 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 442 shares in the last quarter.

Sprouts Farmers Market Company Profile

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.