Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) Sets New 12-Month Low - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Freshpet's stock reached a new 52-week low of $52.24, closing at $52.69 with a trading volume of 855,058 shares.
• Analysts have mixed ratings for Freshpet, with eight rating it as a Buy and six as Hold, while the average price target currently stands at $108.07.
• Insider trading activity includes notable purchases by directors, indicating confidence in Freshpet's future, with insider ownership increasing by 4.43%.

Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $52.24 and last traded at $52.69, with a volume of 855058 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $54.82.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on FRPT shares. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Freshpet from $80.00 to $70.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Freshpet from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $90.00 price target on shares of Freshpet and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Freshpet from $65.00 to $48.00 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Finally, DA Davidson set a $101.00 price target on shares of Freshpet in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Freshpet currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $108.07.

Freshpet Stock Down 1.4%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 4.81 and a quick ratio of 3.75. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $62.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is $73.32. The stock has a market cap of $2.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 76.72, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.72.

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $264.69 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $269.75 million. Freshpet had a net margin of 3.23% and a return on equity of 4.82%. Freshpet's revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.03) earnings per share. Freshpet has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Freshpet, Inc. will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Jacki Sue Kelley acquired 814 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $56.50 per share, for a total transaction of $45,991.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 11,907 shares of the company's stock, valued at $672,745.50. The trade was a 7.34% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Walter N. George purchased 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $52.57 per share, for a total transaction of $52,570.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 46,527 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,445,924.39. The trade was a 2.20% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have acquired 6,008 shares of company stock valued at $332,305. Insiders own 4.43% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quantinno Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Freshpet in the fourth quarter worth about $289,000. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Freshpet by 10.4% in the fourth quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 2,174 shares of the company's stock valued at $322,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Freshpet by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 2,111 shares of the company's stock valued at $313,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in Freshpet by 8.2% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 174,580 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,857,000 after buying an additional 13,298 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its holdings in Freshpet by 24.3% in the fourth quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 51,129 shares of the company's stock worth $7,573,000 after purchasing an additional 10,009 shares during the period.

Freshpet Company Profile

Freshpet, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and markets natural fresh meals and treats for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It sells dog food, cat food, and dog treats under the Freshpet brand name; and Dognation and Dog Joy labels through various classes of retail, including grocery, mass, club, pet specialty, and natural, as well as online.