The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) Given Average Recommendation of “Reduce” by Analysts

Shares of The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) have earned an average rating of “Reduce” from the eighteen research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have issued a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $44.27.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on CPB. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Campbell’s from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Campbell’s from $39.00 to $37.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Campbell’s from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Campbell’s from $45.00 to $41.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Consumer Edge restated an “equal weight” rating on shares of Campbell’s in a research note on Monday, March 17th.

Campbell’s Stock Down 1.6 %

NASDAQ:CPB opened at $35.89 on Friday. Campbell’s has a twelve month low of $35.35 and a twelve month high of $52.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $38.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.07.

Campbell’s (NASDAQ:CPB) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, March 5th. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $2.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.74 billion. Campbell’s had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 23.79%. Campbell’s’s revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Campbell’s will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Campbell’s Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.35%. Campbell’s’s dividend payout ratio is presently 90.17%.

Insider Transactions at Campbell’s

In related news, EVP Charles A. Brawley III sold 2,498 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.03, for a total transaction of $99,994.94. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,590 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,504,727.70. This trade represents a 6.23 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 20.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Campbell’s by 1,593.8% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,904,440 shares of the company’s stock worth $91,623,000 after buying an additional 1,792,005 shares in the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its position in Campbell’s by 161.8% in the fourth quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 186,277 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,801,000 after acquiring an additional 115,122 shares during the last quarter. ING Groep NV acquired a new position in Campbell’s during the fourth quarter worth about $1,062,000. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Campbell’s by 133.3% in the fourth quarter. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. now owns 147,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,156,000 after acquiring an additional 84,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Campbell’s by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,787,481 shares of the company’s stock valued at $74,860,000 after purchasing an additional 21,849 shares during the last quarter. 52.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Campbell’s Company Profile

The Campbell’s Company, formerly known as Campbell Soup Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Meals & Beverages and Snacks segments. The Meals & Beverages segment engages in the retail and foodservice businesses in the United States and Canada.