BNP Paribas Financial Markets Acquires Shares of 323,222 Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new stake in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 323,222 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,348,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned about 0.06% of Albertsons Companies at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Private Management Group Inc. lifted its stake in Albertsons Companies by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 2,196,484 shares of the company's stock worth $43,138,000 after purchasing an additional 43,532 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in Albertsons Companies during the fourth quarter worth $11,800,000. NINE MASTS CAPITAL Ltd bought a new stake in Albertsons Companies during the fourth quarter worth $746,000. ORBA Wealth Advisors L.L.C. bought a new stake in Albertsons Companies during the fourth quarter worth $433,000. Finally, Econ Financial Services Corp bought a new stake in Albertsons Companies during the fourth quarter worth $499,000. 71.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Albertsons Companies

In related news, EVP Omer Gajial sold 47,303 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.46, for a total value of $1,015,122.38. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 162,569 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,488,730.74. This trade represents a 22.54% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.26% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on ACI shares. Evercore ISI cut their target price on 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. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Friday, January 24th. They set a "buy" rating and a $26.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Albertsons Companies from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and upped their price target for the stock from $19.00 to $25.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $23.00 price target on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Albertsons Companies presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $24.36.

Albertsons Companies Trading Up 0.9%

ACI traded up $0.20 during trading on Friday, reaching $22.10. 4,788,436 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,596,494. 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 $12.72 billion, a PE ratio of 12.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.47. The stock's 50-day moving average is $21.69 and its 200 day moving average is $20.50. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $17.00 and a 12 month high of $23.20.

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

Albertsons Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 25th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 25th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.71%. Albertsons Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.59%.

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.