Chefs' Warehouse (NASDAQ:CHEF) Hits New 12-Month High - Should You Buy?

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHEF - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $51.68 and last traded at $51.34, with a volume of 15346 shares. The stock had previously closed at $50.18.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CHEF has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Lake Street Capital increased their price objective on Chefs' Warehouse from $48.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Chefs' Warehouse from $53.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Chefs' Warehouse from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Chefs' Warehouse currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $53.40.

Chefs' Warehouse Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $2.04 billion, a PE ratio of 45.27 and a beta of 2.29. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $46.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.85.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO James Leddy sold 4,000 shares of Chefs' Warehouse stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.85, for a total transaction of $195,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 145,589 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,112,022.65. This trade represents a 2.67 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Alexandros Aldous sold 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.00, for a total transaction of $225,000.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 114,342 shares in the company, valued at $5,145,390. The trade was a 4.19 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 11.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Chefs' Warehouse by 1.1% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,289,696 shares of the company's stock valued at $50,440,000 after acquiring an additional 14,209 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Chefs' Warehouse by 3.1% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 834,386 shares of the company's stock worth $35,053,000 after buying an additional 24,987 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Chefs' Warehouse by 1.2% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 502,415 shares of the company's stock worth $21,106,000 after buying an additional 6,070 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Chefs' Warehouse by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 455,092 shares of the company's stock valued at $19,118,000 after acquiring an additional 3,739 shares during the period. Finally, WCM Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chefs' Warehouse in the 3rd quarter valued at $7,680,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.55% of the company's stock.

About Chefs' Warehouse

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East, and Canada. The company's product portfolio includes specialty food products, such as artisan charcuterie, specialty cheeses, unique oils and vinegars, truffles, caviar, chocolate, and pastry products; and center-of-the-plate products consisting of custom cut beef, seafood, and hormone-free poultry, as well as broadline food products comprising cooking oils, butter, eggs, milk, and flour.