Algert Global LLC Acquires 121,002 Shares of Vital Farms, Inc. $VITL

Key Points

• Algert Global LLC increased its stake in Vital Farms by 112% in the first quarter, acquiring an additional 121,002 shares, bringing its total ownership to 229,068 shares valued at approximately $6.98 million.
• Several institutional investors have also increased their positions in Vital Farms, with 98.59% of the stock now held by such investors, reflecting strong confidence in the company.
• Analysts have raised their price targets on Vital Farms, with ratings indicating an average target of $48.20 and several analysts giving the stock a "buy" rating.

Algert Global LLC lifted its position in shares of Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL - Free Report) by 112.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 229,068 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 121,002 shares during the quarter. Algert Global LLC owned 0.51% of Vital Farms worth $6,980,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Vital Farms by 417.8% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,431,024 shares of the company's stock valued at $91,625,000 after purchasing an additional 1,961,550 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Vital Farms by 1,453.0% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,243,467 shares of the company's stock worth $37,888,000 after purchasing an additional 1,163,399 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Vital Farms by 3.2% during the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,209,564 shares of the company's stock worth $36,855,000 after purchasing an additional 37,614 shares during the period. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC raised its stake in Vital Farms by 64.6% during the fourth quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 1,058,753 shares of the company's stock worth $39,904,000 after purchasing an additional 415,614 shares during the period. Finally, Emerald Advisers LLC raised its stake in Vital Farms by 13.2% during the first quarter. Emerald Advisers LLC now owns 978,197 shares of the company's stock worth $29,806,000 after purchasing an additional 113,874 shares during the period. 98.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vital Farms Stock Up 1.5%

VITL traded up $0.75 during trading on Friday, hitting $50.94. The company had a trading volume of 880,722 shares, compared to its average volume of 999,399. The company has a market cap of $2.28 billion, a PE ratio of 45.48 and a beta of 0.94. The business has a 50-day moving average of $39.46 and a 200-day moving average of $35.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 2.48 and a quick ratio of 2.10. Vital Farms, Inc. has a 1-year low of $27.91 and a 1-year high of $51.55.

Vital Farms (NASDAQ:VITL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $184.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $170.28 million. Vital Farms had a net margin of 7.84% and a return on equity of 18.40%. The firm's revenue was up 25.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.36 earnings per share. Vital Farms has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Vital Farms, Inc. will post 1.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Vital Farms from $45.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Lake Street Capital set a $60.00 price target on shares of Vital Farms and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Vital Farms from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of Vital Farms from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group upped their price target on shares of Vital Farms from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $48.20.

Insider Activity at Vital Farms

In related news, CFO Thilo Wrede sold 1,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.97, for a total value of $46,764.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 56,187 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,189,607.39. This represents a 2.09% 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. Also, CEO Russell Diez-Canseco sold 16,700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.11, for a total transaction of $770,037.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 702,476 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $32,391,168.36. This trade represents a 2.32% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 94,905 shares of company stock valued at $3,685,646. 21.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Vital Farms Company Profile

Vital Farms, Inc, a food company, provides pasture-raised products in the United States. It offers shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, and liquid whole eggs. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.