Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) Stock Rating Lowered by Wall Street Zen

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. UBS Group reduced their target price on Albertsons Companies from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $31.00 price objective on Albertsons Companies in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Evercore ISI cut their target price on Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Tigress Financial reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $28.00 price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Roth Capital reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $24.00 target price (up from $23.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Wednesday. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $24.20.

Albertsons Companies Stock Up 1.1%

NYSE:ACI traded up $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $20.47. The company's stock had a trading volume of 7,587,961 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,126,438. Albertsons Companies has a 1 year low of $17.00 and a 1 year high of $23.20. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $21.67 and a 200-day moving average of $21.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.79 billion, a PE ratio of 12.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 15th. The company reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $24.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.68 billion. Albertsons Companies had a return on equity of 37.92% and a net margin of 1.18%. The business's revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.66 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Albertsons Companies will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Albertsons Companies

In other news, EVP Omer Gajial sold 47,303 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.46, for a total transaction of $1,015,122.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 162,569 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,488,730.74. This represents a 22.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.35% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $11,800,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Albertsons Companies in the first quarter worth about $1,420,000. Bessemer Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. III Capital Management purchased a new stake in Albertsons Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $5,892,000. Finally, Bayesian Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $232,000. 71.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.