Aramark (NYSE:ARMK) Stock Holdings Cut by Sarasin & Partners LLP

Sarasin & Partners LLP lessened its position in shares of Aramark (NYSE:ARMK - Free Report) by 13.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 223,748 shares of the company's stock after selling 35,616 shares during the period. Sarasin & Partners LLP owned approximately 0.08% of Aramark worth $7,724,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ARMK. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Aramark by 93.0% during the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 770 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in shares of Aramark by 45.7% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 988 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Aramark by 167.2% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,424 shares of the company's stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 891 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aramark in the fourth quarter worth about $72,000. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aramark in the fourth quarter worth about $83,000.

Aramark Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ARMK traded down $0.32 during trading on Thursday, hitting $39.98. 549,873 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,012,686. Aramark has a one year low of $29.92 and a one year high of $42.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.48 and a beta of 1.20. The business's fifty day moving average is $35.69 and its 200-day moving average is $37.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61.

Aramark (NYSE:ARMK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.01. Aramark had a return on equity of 14.72% and a net margin of 1.94%. The business had revenue of $4.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.35 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.30 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Aramark will post 1.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aramark Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th were paid a dividend of $0.105 per share. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.05%. Aramark's payout ratio is currently 32.31%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $47.00 price target on shares of Aramark in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Aramark from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Citigroup assumed coverage on Aramark in a research note on Monday, February 24th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $48.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Aramark from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $43.33.

Aramark Company Profile

Aramark provides food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business and industry, sports, leisure, and corrections clients in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Food and Support Services United States, and Food and Support Services International. The company offers food-related managed services, including dining, catering, food service management, and convenience-oriented retail services; non-clinical food and food-related support services, such as patient food and nutrition, retail food, environmental services, and procurement services; and plant operations and maintenance, custodial/housekeeping, energy management, grounds keeping, and capital project management services.