Stifel Nicolaus Boosts Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) Price Target to $135.00

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT - Get Free Report) had its price target raised by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $115.00 to $135.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a "buy" rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus' price objective would indicate a potential upside of 20.00% from the company's current price.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on FRPT. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Freshpet in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. They set a "hold" rating and a $80.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup began coverage on Freshpet in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. They set a "neutral" rating and a $94.00 price objective for the company. DA Davidson raised their price objective on Freshpet from $104.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Freshpet from $67.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Freshpet to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, December 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $107.36.

Freshpet Price Performance

Shares of FRPT traded down $0.25 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $112.50. 477,634 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 629,960. The company has a quick ratio of 4.08, a current ratio of 4.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. Freshpet has a fifty-two week low of $54.60 and a fifty-two week high of $117.76. The company has a market cap of $5.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -158.45 and a beta of 1.23. The firm's fifty day moving average is $104.69 and its 200 day moving average is $84.00.

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 26th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.09 by $0.22. The firm had revenue of $215.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $204.93 million. Freshpet had a negative net margin of 4.38% and a negative return on equity of 3.56%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 29.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.06) earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Freshpet will post 0.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, COO Scott James Morris sold 3,632 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.86, for a total value of $399,011.52. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 122,380 shares of the company's stock, valued at $13,444,666.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Freshpet news, EVP Stephen Macchiaverna sold 7,130 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.53, for a total transaction of $773,818.90. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 85,056 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $9,231,127.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, COO Scott James Morris sold 3,632 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.86, for a total transaction of $399,011.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,444,666.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 15,762 shares of company stock valued at $1,737,280. Insiders own 3.60% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Freshpet

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. RiverPark Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Freshpet during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Freshpet in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Freshpet by 100.8% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 263 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Freshpet during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Washington Trust Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Freshpet by 617.3% during the 4th quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 581 shares of the company's stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 500 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.