Hantz Financial Services Inc. Takes $7.34 Million Position in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM)

Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 57,784 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,343,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. owned 0.06% of Sprouts Farmers Market as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in SFM. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 2,577.7% in the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 452,672 shares of the company's stock valued at $49,980,000 after acquiring an additional 435,767 shares during the period. Fiera Capital Corp acquired a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,712,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 314.8% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 223,848 shares of the company's stock worth $18,727,000 after buying an additional 169,888 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market in the third quarter valued at $18,259,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 3,347.7% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 164,732 shares of the company's stock valued at $18,188,000 after acquiring an additional 159,954 shares during the period.

Sprouts Farmers Market Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of SFM traded up $1.15 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $156.26. 327,988 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,207,611. The business has a fifty day moving average of $142.20 and a 200-day moving average of $120.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.62 billion, a PE ratio of 45.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.63. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 1-year low of $49.81 and a 1-year high of $158.84.

Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.88 billion. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 4.73% and a return on equity of 28.24%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.65 EPS. Analysts expect that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 3.68 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on SFM shares. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $127.00 to $159.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com raised shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Sprouts Farmers Market from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Sprouts Farmers Market from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $119.40.

Insider Activity at Sprouts Farmers Market

In related news, Director Joe Fortunato sold 11,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.84, for a total value of $1,527,660.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 33,571 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,459,571.64. The trade was a 25.52 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 5,714 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.60, for a total value of $757,676.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 199,576 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,463,777.60. This trade represents a 2.78 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 61,869 shares of company stock worth $8,778,152 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Sprouts Farmers Market Profile

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the retailing of fresh, natural, and organic food products under the Sprouts brand in the United States. It offers perishable product categories, including fresh produce, meat and meat alternatives, seafood, deli, bakery, floral, and dairy and dairy alternatives; and non-perishable product categories, such as grocery, vitamins and supplements, bulk items, frozen foods, beer and wine, and natural health and body care.