QSM Asset Management Ltd Takes Position in The Campbell's Company (NASDAQ:CPB)

QSM Asset Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of The Campbell's Company (NASDAQ:CPB - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 158,539 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,556,000. Campbell's makes up 5.6% of QSM Asset Management Ltd's investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. QSM Asset Management Ltd owned about 0.05% of Campbell's at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in CPB. Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its holdings in shares of Campbell's by 272.7% in the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 2,243,300 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,949,000 after acquiring an additional 1,641,400 shares during the last quarter. Man Group plc lifted its stake in shares of Campbell's by 1,296.1% in the fourth quarter. Man Group plc now owns 1,407,161 shares of the company's stock worth $58,932,000 after buying an additional 1,306,372 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Campbell's by 38.2% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,645,548 shares of the company's stock worth $194,556,000 after buying an additional 1,282,957 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Campbell's in the fourth quarter worth about $50,908,000. Finally, Raiffeisen Bank International AG acquired a new stake in Campbell's during the fourth quarter worth about $48,468,000. 52.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Campbell's

In other Campbell's news, EVP Charles A. Brawley III sold 2,498 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.03, for a total transaction of $99,994.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 37,590 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,504,727.70. This represents a 6.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 20.19% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Campbell's Trading Up 1.1%

NASDAQ:CPB traded up $0.38 on Thursday, hitting $34.17. 4,498,208 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,856,831. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.14. The Campbell's Company has a 52 week low of $32.95 and a 52 week high of $52.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 0.91. The company's 50-day moving average price is $36.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $39.48.

Campbell's (NASDAQ:CPB - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 5th. The company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.74 billion. Campbell's had a return on equity of 23.79% and a net margin of 5.57%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that The Campbell's Company will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Campbell's Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be given a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 3rd. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.57%. Campbell's's dividend payout ratio is presently 90.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on CPB. Consumer Edge restated an "equal weight" rating on shares of Campbell's in a research report on Monday, March 17th. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Campbell's in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. They issued a "sell" rating and a $36.00 price target for the company. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Campbell's from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of Campbell's from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $48.00 to $37.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, DA Davidson dropped their price objective on shares of Campbell's from $46.00 to $39.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Campbell's has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $42.80.

About Campbell's

The Campbell's Company, formerly known as Campbell Soup Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Meals & Beverages and Snacks segments. The Meals & Beverages segment engages in the retail and foodservice businesses in the United States and Canada.