Iridian Asset Management LLC CT Lowers Holdings in Herbalife Ltd $HLF

Key Points

• Iridian Asset Management LLC CT reduced its stake by 25.0% in Herbalife during Q4, selling 612,774 shares and now holds 1,836,381 shares (~1.78% of the company) worth $23.67M, making HLF its second-largest holding (~8.7% of the fund).
• Herbalife reported Q results with a $0.45 EPS (miss) and $1.28B revenue (up 6.3% y/y); analysts are mostly positive with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $17.75.

Iridian Asset Management LLC CT decreased its position in Herbalife Ltd (NYSE:HLF - Free Report) by 25.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,836,381 shares of the company's stock after selling 612,774 shares during the quarter. Herbalife accounts for approximately 8.7% of Iridian Asset Management LLC CT's holdings, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Iridian Asset Management LLC CT owned approximately 1.78% of Herbalife worth $23,671,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in HLF. Manatuck Hill Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 122.2% in the 3rd quarter. Manatuck Hill Partners LLC now owns 1,000,000 shares of the company's stock worth $8,440,000 after purchasing an additional 550,000 shares during the last quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Herbalife in the 3rd quarter worth about $3,550,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 60.5% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 763,857 shares of the company's stock worth $6,447,000 after purchasing an additional 287,880 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in shares of Herbalife by 74.3% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 658,654 shares of the company's stock worth $5,559,000 after purchasing an additional 280,870 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Solel Partners LP boosted its stake in Herbalife by 18.7% in the second quarter. Solel Partners LP now owns 1,669,405 shares of the company's stock worth $14,390,000 after purchasing an additional 262,614 shares in the last quarter.

Herbalife Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of HLF opened at $15.21 on Monday. Herbalife Ltd has a 12-month low of $6.20 and a 12-month high of $20.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.57 billion, a PE ratio of 6.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.95. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $16.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $13.36.

Herbalife (NYSE:HLF - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.48 by ($0.03). Herbalife had a net margin of 4.53% and a negative return on equity of 35.02%. The firm had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.24 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.36 EPS. The company's revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Herbalife Ltd will post 1.57 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $21.00 price objective (up from $17.00) on shares of Herbalife in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Maxim Group assumed coverage on Herbalife in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $20.00 price objective on the stock. Mizuho boosted their price objective on Herbalife from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, March 30th. Zacks Research raised Herbalife from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Herbalife in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Herbalife has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $17.75.

Herbalife Profile

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. NYSE: HLF operates as a global multi-level marketing company specializing in weight-management, nutritional supplement, sports nutrition and personal care products. Its portfolio includes protein shakes, vitamins, energy and fitness supplements, hydration products and skin and hair care items, all formulated to support wellness, performance and healthy living. Products are manufactured in GMP-certified facilities to ensure consistent quality and safety standards.

Founded in 1980 by Mark R.

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