Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - Should You Buy?

Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 1,379,077 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 165% from the previous session's volume of 519,472 shares.The stock last traded at $155.99 and had previously closed at $159.20.

Analyst Ratings Changes

FRPT has been the subject of several analyst reports. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of Freshpet in a research note on Friday, November 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Freshpet from $126.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Freshpet from $161.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on Freshpet from $155.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Freshpet from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Freshpet presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $163.36.

Freshpet Stock Down 0.9 %

The company's 50 day simple moving average is $150.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $142.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 3.91 and a current ratio of 4.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.14 billion, a PE ratio of 165.28 and a beta of 1.42.

Insider Buying and Selling at Freshpet

In other news, President Scott James Morris sold 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.38, for a total value of $786,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,260,164.40. This represents a 3.93 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 3.70% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Freshpet

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Freshpet by 302.0% during the fourth quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 201 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Freshpet during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in Freshpet by 130.9% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 217 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in Freshpet in the third quarter worth $32,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Freshpet during the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000.

Freshpet Company Profile

Freshpet, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and markets natural fresh meals and treats for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It sells dog food, cat food, and dog treats under the Freshpet brand name; and Dognation and Dog Joy labels through various classes of retail, including grocery, mass, club, pet specialty, and natural, as well as online.