Lisanti Capital Growth LLC Sells 55,725 Shares of Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT)

Lisanti Capital Growth LLC reduced its holdings in Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) by 48.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 58,685 shares of the company’s stock after selling 55,725 shares during the quarter. Freshpet accounts for about 1.2% of Lisanti Capital Growth LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC owned about 0.12% of Freshpet worth $5,092,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Freshpet by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 216,085 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,748,000 after acquiring an additional 4,315 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Freshpet by 211.6% in the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 345,810 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,002,000 after purchasing an additional 234,836 shares in the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its position in shares of Freshpet by 9.6% during the fourth quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 35,572 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,086,000 after buying an additional 3,121 shares during the period. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Freshpet by 96.6% during the fourth quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,750 shares of the company’s stock worth $153,000 after buying an additional 860 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC lifted its stake in Freshpet by 36.6% in the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 915,827 shares of the company’s stock valued at $79,457,000 after acquiring an additional 245,403 shares in the last quarter.

Freshpet Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FRPT traded up $11.45 during trading on Monday, reaching $121.03. 2,467,986 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 620,681. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.86 billion, a PE ratio of -170.46 and a beta of 1.24. 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, Inc. has a 52 week low of $54.60 and a 52 week high of $127.25. The company’s 50 day moving average is $110.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $89.54.

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.09 by $0.22. Freshpet had a negative return on equity of 3.56% and a negative net margin of 4.38%. The firm had revenue of $215.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $204.93 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.06) EPS. The company’s revenue was up 29.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Freshpet, Inc. will post 0.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Freshpet

In other Freshpet news, COO Scott James Morris sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.02, for a total value of $280,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at $13,709,007.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Stephen Macchiaverna sold 7,130 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 85,056 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,231,127.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Scott James Morris sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.02, for a total transaction of $280,050.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,709,007.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,762 shares of company stock valued at $1,737,280. 3.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on FRPT shares. Truist Financial raised shares of Freshpet from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $120.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Monday, March 11th. DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of Freshpet from $104.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Freshpet to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday. Citigroup initiated coverage on Freshpet in a report on Thursday, February 1st. They set a “neutral” rating and a $94.00 price target for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Freshpet from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $107.36.

Freshpet 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.