UBS Group Lowers Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) Price Target to $22.00

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI - Free Report) had its price target reduced by UBS Group from $24.00 to $22.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the stock.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $23.00 price target on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Citigroup started coverage on Albertsons Companies in a research note on Friday, January 24th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $26.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Albertsons Companies has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $23.36.

Albertsons Companies Price Performance

Shares of ACI traded up $0.51 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $21.66. 10,042,907 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,307,437. The firm's fifty day moving average is $21.19 and its 200 day moving average is $19.97. The company has a market cap of $12.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.47. Albertsons Companies has a fifty-two week low of $17.00 and a fifty-two week high of $23.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 15th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.06. Albertsons Companies had a return on equity of 44.70% and a net margin of 1.30%. The company had revenue of $18.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.54 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Albertsons Companies will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Albertsons Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 25th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 25th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.77%. Albertsons Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 36.59%.

Institutional Trading of Albertsons Companies

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. ORBA Wealth Advisors L.L.C. grew its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 16.5% during the 1st quarter. ORBA Wealth Advisors L.L.C. now owns 25,702 shares of the company's stock worth $565,000 after purchasing an additional 3,647 shares in the last quarter. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH boosted its holdings in Albertsons Companies by 1,050.7% in the first quarter. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH now owns 653,929 shares of the company's stock valued at $14,380,000 after acquiring an additional 597,101 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Albertsons Companies by 93.3% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 159,245 shares of the company's stock worth $3,502,000 after purchasing an additional 76,859 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its stake in Albertsons Companies by 54.8% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,997 shares of the company's stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 1,061 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focus Financial Network Inc. bought a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Institutional investors own 71.35% of the company's stock.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of food and drug stores in the United States. The company's food and drug retail stores offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel, and other items and services. It also manufactures and processes food products for sale in stores.