Post (NYSE:POST) Announces Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.20 EPS

Post (NYSE:POST) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.20, Zacks reports. Post had a net margin of 4.62% and a return on equity of 10.80%.

Post Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE POST traded up $0.37 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $107.32. 872,080 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 641,982. Post has a twelve month low of $100.44 and a twelve month high of $125.84. The firm has a market cap of $5.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.25 and a beta of 0.49. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $105.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $108.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83, a current ratio of 2.60 and a quick ratio of 1.84.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Post from $131.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Zacks Research cut shares of Post from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Post from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Post from $117.00 to $115.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Post in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Post currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $131.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Post in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in shares of Post by 119.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 248 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in shares of Post during the 3rd quarter worth $64,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Post during the second quarter valued at about $64,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Post by 406.1% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 906 shares of the company’s stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 727 shares during the last quarter. 94.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Post announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Friday, August 29th that permits the company to repurchase $0.00 in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

About Post

Post Holdings, Inc operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, and Refrigerated Retail. The Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets, and sells branded and private label ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals under Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, and Malt-O-Meal brand names; hot cereal; peanut butter under the Peter Pan brand; and branded and private label dog and cat food products under Rachael Ray Nutrish, Nature's Recipe, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and Gravy Train brand names.