Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) Stake Raised by Southeastern Asset Management Inc. TN

Southeastern Asset Management Inc. TN boosted its stake in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI - Free Report) by 108.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,766,719 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,993,988 shares during the period. Albertsons Companies comprises approximately 5.3% of Southeastern Asset Management Inc. TN's portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Southeastern Asset Management Inc. TN owned 1.00% of Albertsons Companies worth $113,258,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ACI. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC increased its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 225.1% during the fourth quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 1,385 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 959 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Albertsons Companies by 316.6% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,787 shares of the company's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,358 shares during the period. WealthCollab LLC raised its position in Albertsons Companies by 446.0% in the 4th quarter. WealthCollab LLC now owns 1,780 shares of the company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,454 shares in the last quarter. Ossiam acquired a new stake in Albertsons Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $93,000. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 241,500.0% in the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 4,832 shares of the company's stock valued at $95,000 after buying an additional 4,830 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.35% of the company's stock.

Albertsons Companies Stock Performance

ACI traded down $0.01 on Wednesday, hitting $21.98. 1,168,071 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,587,504. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $17.00 and a 12-month high of $23.20. The company has a 50 day moving average of $21.72 and a 200-day moving average of $20.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.65 billion, a PE ratio of 12.36, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.47.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 15th. The company reported $0.46 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $18.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.78 billion. Albertsons Companies had a return on equity of 44.70% and a net margin of 1.30%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.54 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Albertsons Companies, Inc. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Albertsons Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 25th were given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.73%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 25th. Albertsons Companies's payout ratio is 36.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Albertsons Companies

In other news, EVP Omer Gajial sold 47,303 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.46, for a total value of $1,015,122.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 162,569 shares in the company, valued at $3,488,730.74. This trade represents a 22.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.26% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ACI. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $26.00 price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Albertsons Companies from $24.00 to $31.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on Albertsons Companies in a report on Friday, January 24th. They set a "buy" rating and a $26.00 price target for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Albertsons Companies has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $24.36.

Albertsons Companies Profile

Albertsons Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of food and drug stores in the United States. The company's food and drug retail stores offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel, and other items and services. It also manufactures and processes food products for sale in stores.