Franklin Resources Inc. Buys 173,278 Shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)

Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI - Free Report) by 44.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 561,044 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 173,278 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.10% of Albertsons Companies worth $11,019,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ACI. Private Management Group Inc. grew its position in Albertsons Companies by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 2,196,484 shares of the company's stock valued at $43,138,000 after buying an additional 43,532 shares in the last quarter. NINE MASTS CAPITAL Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $746,000. ORBA Wealth Advisors L.L.C. acquired a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $433,000. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,906,000. Finally, Synergy Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Albertsons Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $248,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.35% of the company's stock.

Albertsons Companies Price Performance

Shares of ACI traded up $0.28 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $21.47. 869,544 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,143,536. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. The business has a 50-day moving average of $21.16 and a 200 day moving average of $19.90. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $17.00 and a one year high of $23.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.06, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.47.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on ACI. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Albertsons Companies from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Friday, January 24th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $26.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $27.00 to $24.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $23.00 price target on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $23.50.

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.