Stevens Capital Management LP Invests $225,000 in Pilgrim's Pride Co. (NASDAQ:PPC)

Stevens Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Pilgrim's Pride Co. (NASDAQ:PPC - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 4,961 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $225,000.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Pilgrim's Pride in the third quarter worth approximately $210,000. Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Pilgrim's Pride by 4.6% during the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 40,000 shares of the company's stock worth $1,842,000 after purchasing an additional 1,773 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Pilgrim's Pride in the 3rd quarter worth $158,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Pilgrim's Pride in the 3rd quarter valued at $198,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new stake in Pilgrim's Pride during the 3rd quarter valued at $878,000. 16.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pilgrim's Pride Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of PPC traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $53.39. 1,391,412 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,075,164. Pilgrim's Pride Co. has a 52 week low of $33.67 and a 52 week high of $57.16. The company has a current ratio of 2.01, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of $48.53. The company has a market cap of $12.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.71 and a beta of 0.71.

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Pilgrim's Pride Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be paid a $6.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. This is an increase from Pilgrim's Pride's previous special dividend of $2.75.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PPC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Pilgrim's Pride from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Sunday, March 2nd. Santander initiated coverage on shares of Pilgrim's Pride in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a "neutral" rating on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Pilgrim's Pride from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $46.33.

About Pilgrim's Pride

Pilgrim's Pride Corp. engages in the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of fresh, frozen and value-added chicken and pork products to retailers, distributors, and foodservice operators. It operates through the following segments: U.S., U.K. and Europe, and Mexico. The company was founded by Lonnie A.