WCM Investment Management LLC Has $430.81 Million Stake in Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT)

WCM Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT - Free Report) by 4.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,881,855 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 110,478 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC owned 5.94% of Freshpet worth $430,809,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in FRPT. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Freshpet in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in Freshpet by 302.0% in the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 201 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Freshpet in the third quarter worth about $32,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Freshpet during the fourth quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in shares of Freshpet during the 3rd quarter worth $54,000.

Freshpet Price Performance

Shares of FRPT traded up $0.84 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $131.59. 872,035 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 686,816. The stock has a market cap of $6.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 147.86 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a 50 day moving average of $149.25 and a 200-day moving average of $142.99. Freshpet, Inc. has a 1-year low of $84.02 and a 1-year high of $164.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 3.91 and a current ratio of 4.72.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Freshpet news, President Scott James Morris sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.38, for a total transaction of $786,900.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,260,164.40. The trade was a 3.93 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 3.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FRPT has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup lowered their target price on Freshpet from $155.00 to $142.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Freshpet from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of Freshpet in a report on Friday, November 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Freshpet from $161.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Freshpet from $157.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. One equities 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $164.29.

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.