Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $129.3846.

SFM has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Sprouts Farmers Market from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $88.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Sprouts Farmers Market from $200.00 to $160.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, December 21st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $178.00 to $152.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sprouts Farmers Market

In other Sprouts Farmers Market news, CMO Alisa Gmelich sold 3,161 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.39, for a total transaction of $250,951.79. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 5,552 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $440,773.28. The trade was a 36.28% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider John Scott Neal sold 17,471 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.20, for a total value of $1,488,529.20. Following the transaction, the insider owned 14,178 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,207,965.60. This trade represents a 55.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sprouts Farmers Market

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of SFM. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market during the third quarter valued at $26,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 98.6% during the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 284 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. acquired a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market during the third quarter worth approximately $33,000.

Sprouts Farmers Market Trading Up 0.4%

SFM opened at $70.91 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $6.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.72, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The company’s 50 day moving average is $79.04 and its 200-day moving average is $107.76. Sprouts Farmers Market has a 1-year low of $69.29 and a 1-year high of $182.00.

Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.05. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 5.93% and a return on equity of 38.03%. The business had revenue of $2.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.91 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Sprouts Farmers Market will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sprouts Farmers Market Company Profile

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.

Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.