Islay Capital Management LLC Makes New Investment in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)

Islay Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm bought 50,870 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,170,000.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Albertsons Companies by 9.8% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 33,144,018 shares of the company's stock valued at $754,026,000 after acquiring an additional 2,950,786 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management increased its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 22.5% during the 3rd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 4,709,600 shares of the company's stock valued at $107,143,000 after purchasing an additional 865,554 shares during the last quarter. Alpine Associates Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 11.9% during the 3rd quarter. Alpine Associates Management Inc. now owns 4,267,518 shares of the company's stock valued at $97,086,000 after purchasing an additional 454,400 shares during the last quarter. Westchester Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 3rd quarter valued at $64,739,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 232.2% during the 3rd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 2,485,704 shares of the company's stock valued at $56,596,000 after purchasing an additional 1,737,466 shares during the last quarter. 71.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Albertsons Companies Price Performance

ACI stock traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $20.40. 2,138,237 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,399,255. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The company has a market capitalization of $11.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.50. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $19.84 and a 52-week high of $23.88. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $20.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.55.

Albertsons Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 25th. Albertsons Companies's payout ratio is presently 21.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ACI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed a "market perform" rating and set a $27.25 target price on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Tigress Financial reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $27.00 target price on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Roth Mkm raised Albertsons Companies from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $24.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Finally, Roth Capital raised Albertsons Companies from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Albertsons Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $24.45.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of food and drug stores in the United States. The company's food and drug retail stores offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel, and other items and services. It also manufactures and processes food products for sale in stores.