Freshpet, Inc. $FRPT Stock: VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al Boosts Holdings

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al lifted its stake in shares of Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) by 59.2% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 22,600 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,400 shares during the quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al’s holdings in Freshpet were worth $1,301,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Freshpet by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 19,270 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,109,000 after acquiring an additional 295 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new position in Freshpet in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Freshpet in the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Freshpet during the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Freshpet by 34.5% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,439 shares of the company’s stock worth $140,000 after acquiring an additional 625 shares during the period.

Insider Activity

In other Freshpet news, CEO William Cyr sold 2,657 shares of Freshpet stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.40, for a total transaction of $200,337.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 49,044 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,697,917.60. This trade represents a 5.14% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Walter George acquired 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 14th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $64.92 per share, with a total value of $64,920.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 51,746 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,359,350.32. This trade represents a 1.97% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 171,636 shares of company stock worth $12,754,864 over the last ninety days. 4.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on FRPT. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Freshpet in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Freshpet from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 13th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Freshpet from $82.00 to $77.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 5th. Weiss Ratings raised Freshpet from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Monday, September 28th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Freshpet in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $79.62.

More Freshpet News

Here are the key news stories impacting Freshpet this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Freshpet earned $0.58 per share, ahead of analysts’ $0.39 consensus, while revenue rose 10.1% year over year to $317.84 million, also topping estimates. Freshpet Q3 earnings results
• Positive Sentiment: Margins strengthened: Freshpet reported a 45% gross margin and a 50% adjusted gross margin, alongside EBITDA growth. The company also raised and narrowed its 2026 outlook, signaling improved expectations for the year. Freshpet third-quarter 2026 financial results
• Positive Sentiment: The quarter marked Freshpet’s fourth consecutive EPS beat, reinforcing the run of results that likely supported investor optimism. Freshpet Q3 2026: 50% Gross Margin and a Fourth Straight EPS Beat
• Neutral Sentiment: Management acknowledged intensifying competition and highlighted its “Super-Serve MVPs” strategy. Strong results and resilient demand were encouraging, but the strategy’s ability to sustain growth amid competition remains a consideration. Freshpet Raises 2026 Outlook, Bets on “Super-Serve MVPs” As Competition Heats Up

Freshpet Stock Up 2.4%

NASDAQ:FRPT opened at $71.29 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 6.05 and a quick ratio of 5.03. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $64.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $63.93. Freshpet, Inc. has a 1-year low of $46.45 and a 1-year high of $86.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.76 and a beta of 1.75.

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.19. Freshpet had a net margin of 17.28% and a return on equity of 5.97%. The company had revenue of $317.84 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $312.02 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.86 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Freshpet, Inc. will post 1.25 EPS for the current year.

Freshpet Company Profile

Freshpet, Inc (NASDAQ: FRPT) is a pet food company that develops, manufactures and markets refrigerated, fresh food and treats for dogs and cats. Its products are made with animal proteins, vegetables and other ingredients and are designed to be stored in the refrigerator rather than on a conventional shelf.

The company sells its products under the Freshpet brand and related product lines, including Freshpet Select and Vital. Its offerings include refrigerated meals, rolls, recipes and treats formulated for different pet sizes, ages and dietary needs.