Squarepoint Ops LLC Has $2.52 Million Position in Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE:FDP)

Squarepoint Ops LLC decreased its stake in shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE:FDP - Free Report) by 17.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 76,006 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,792 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned 0.16% of Fresh Del Monte Produce worth $2,524,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Fresh Del Monte Produce by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,809,451 shares of the company's stock valued at $159,722,000 after purchasing an additional 133,122 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,522,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce by 4.2% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,105,353 shares of the company's stock worth $36,709,000 after acquiring an additional 44,777 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce by 22.0% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 950,108 shares of the company's stock worth $31,553,000 after acquiring an additional 171,574 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its position in Fresh Del Monte Produce by 21.7% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 919,612 shares of the company's stock worth $30,540,000 after acquiring an additional 164,120 shares during the period. 64.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Ziad Nabulsi sold 1,725 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.42, for a total value of $52,474.50. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,498 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $349,769.16. This represents a 13.05% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Marissa R. Tenazas sold 1,148 shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.05, for a total transaction of $35,645.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,573 shares of the company's stock, valued at $110,941.65. This represents a 24.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 10,469 shares of company stock worth $319,190 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 31.60% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FDP traded up $0.50 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $35.28. The company had a trading volume of 444,719 shares, compared to its average volume of 332,830. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has a 12 month low of $21.23 and a 12 month high of $35.34. The firm has a market cap of $1.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 106.91 and a beta of 0.36. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $32.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $32.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE:FDP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.12 billion. Fresh Del Monte Produce had a return on equity of 5.91% and a net margin of 0.36%. Fresh Del Monte Produce's revenue for the quarter was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.34 EPS.

Fresh Del Monte Produce announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Monday, February 24th that allows the company to buyback $150.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 10.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. Fresh Del Monte Produce's dividend payout ratio is 39.22%.

About Fresh Del Monte Produce

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc, through its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Fresh and Value-Added Products, Banana, and Other Products and Services.