Liberty One Investment Management LLC Boosts Stake in Sysco Co. (NYSE:SYY)

Liberty One Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Sysco Co. (NYSE:SYY - Free Report) by 1.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 326,240 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,043 shares during the period. Sysco accounts for about 2.7% of Liberty One Investment Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Liberty One Investment Management LLC owned about 0.07% of Sysco worth $24,944,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Sysco by 1,240.0% during the third quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 335 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in Sysco in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. purchased a new stake in Sysco during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Focused Wealth Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Sysco during the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Canoe Financial LP purchased a new position in shares of Sysco in the third quarter worth $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.41% of the company's stock.

Sysco Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of SYY stock traded down $0.21 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $73.02. 3,555,637 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,913,882. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.18. Sysco Co. has a 12-month low of $69.03 and a 12-month high of $82.89. The company's 50-day moving average price is $76.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.38.

Sysco (NYSE:SYY - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.04). Sysco had a net margin of 2.44% and a return on equity of 101.04%. The business had revenue of $20.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.47 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.07 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Sysco Co. will post 4.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Sysco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 3rd. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.79%. Sysco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 52.44%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Eve M. Mcfadden sold 4,036 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.10, for a total value of $303,103.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 48,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,638,670.10. This represents a 7.69 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Sheila Talton sold 2,900 shares of Sysco stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.63, for a total value of $216,427.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 12,955 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $966,831.65. This trade represents a 18.29 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 83,306 shares of company stock valued at $6,485,050. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Sysco from $87.00 to $82.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Sysco from $91.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, December 16th. Melius assumed coverage on Sysco in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. They set a "hold" rating and a $85.00 price target for the company. Melius Research upgraded Sysco to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Sysco from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Sysco presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $85.93.

Sysco Profile

Sysco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and distribution of various food and related products to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It operates through U.S. Foodservice Operations, International Foodservice Operations, SYGMA, and Other segments.