The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHEF) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHEF) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the seven research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $83.8333.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Chefs’ Warehouse from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Chefs’ Warehouse from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. BTIG Research boosted their price target on shares of Chefs’ Warehouse from $82.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Benchmark increased their price objective on shares of Chefs’ Warehouse from $84.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $83.00 price objective on shares of Chefs’ Warehouse in a report on Thursday, April 30th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chefs’ Warehouse

In other news, CEO Christopher Pappas sold 125,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.00, for a total value of $9,750,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 2,189,453 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $170,777,334. This represents a 5.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Christina Polychroni sold 4,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.21, for a total transaction of $356,445.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 24,642 shares in the company, valued at $1,951,892.82. The trade was a 15.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 11.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chefs’ Warehouse

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in Chefs’ Warehouse by 229.5% during the 4th quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 458 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 319 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse by 515.3% in the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 523 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 438 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Chefs’ Warehouse by 30.7% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 800 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. 91.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Chefs’ Warehouse Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ CHEF opened at $95.62 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.18, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.90 billion, a PE ratio of 53.12 and a beta of 1.39. Chefs’ Warehouse has a twelve month low of $53.20 and a twelve month high of $97.63. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $83.08 and a 200-day simple moving average of $70.51.

Chefs’ Warehouse (NASDAQ:CHEF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 29th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.17. Chefs’ Warehouse had a net margin of 1.87% and a return on equity of 15.54%. The business had revenue of $1.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.25 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Chefs’ Warehouse will post 2.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Chefs’ Warehouse Company Profile

Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc is a specialty food distributor that supplies a broad range of high‐end ingredients and culinary products to professional chefs, restaurants, hotels, and other foodservice operators. Headquartered in Maspeth, New York, the company sources its portfolio from local artisans, boutique producers and leading global suppliers. Its core offerings include fresh and frozen proteins, specialty cuts of meat and seafood, handcrafted cheeses and charcuterie, seasonal produce, value‐added preparations, pantry staples and premium desserts and beverages.

The company operates a network of distribution centers strategically located in major metropolitan markets across North America.