Xponance Inc. Reduces Holdings in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)

Xponance Inc. decreased its position in shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) by 5.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 18,168 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,100 shares during the quarter. Xponance Inc.’s holdings in Albertsons Companies were worth $418,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 255.1% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,463 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,051 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp purchased a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies during the third quarter worth about $52,000. CI Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 21.8% during the third quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 4,373 shares of the company’s stock worth $99,000 after purchasing an additional 783 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 33.0% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 5,494 shares of the company’s stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 1,362 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.35% of the company’s stock.

Albertsons Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ACI opened at $20.13 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83. The company has a market cap of $11.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.03, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.50. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $19.84 and a 52 week high of $23.88. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $20.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.58.

Albertsons Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, April 26th will be given a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 25th. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.38%. Albertsons Companies’s payout ratio is currently 21.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Roth Capital upgraded shares of Albertsons Companies from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 23rd. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 16th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $27.25 target price on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Tuesday, April 23rd. Tigress Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $27.00 target price on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $22.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $24.45.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of food and drug stores in the United States. The company's food and drug retail stores offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel, and other items and services. It also manufactures and processes food products for sale in stores.