Factorial Partners LLC Boosts Stock Position in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)

Factorial Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI - Free Report) by 839.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 108,000 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 96,500 shares during the period. Factorial Partners LLC's holdings in Albertsons Companies were worth $2,121,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Albertsons Companies by 108.4% during the fourth quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 1,346 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 225.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 1,385 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 959 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $179,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $185,000. Finally, DGS Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $199,000. 71.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Albertsons Companies Price Performance

Albertsons Companies stock traded up $1.10 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $20.86. 12,467,843 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,509,323. The company's fifty day moving average is $20.23 and its 200-day moving average is $19.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.93. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $17.00 and a 52 week high of $21.67. The firm has a market cap of $12.08 billion, a PE ratio of 11.72, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.50.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 8th. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $18.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.82 billion. Albertsons Companies had a net margin of 1.30% and a return on equity of 44.70%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.79 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Albertsons Companies, Inc. will post 2.14 EPS for the current year.

Albertsons Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 24th were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 24th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.88%. This is a boost from Albertsons Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. Albertsons Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACI has been the subject of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Albertsons Companies from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Albertsons Companies from $27.00 to $24.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Friday, January 24th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $26.00 target price for the company. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $23.21.

Albertsons Companies Company Profile

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.