Principal Financial Group Inc. Raises Stake in Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. (NYSE:FDP)

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. (NYSE:FDP) by 2.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 167,135 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 4,384 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.35% of Fresh Del Monte Produce worth $5,153,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Parvin Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Fresh Del Monte Produce during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce by 795.0% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,083 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 962 shares in the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new position in Fresh Del Monte Produce in the fourth quarter worth about $48,000. State of Wyoming bought a new position in Fresh Del Monte Produce during the 4th quarter worth approximately $54,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its position in shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce by 244.3% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,663 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 1,180 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.83% of the company’s stock.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FDP opened at $33.50 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $31.96. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a market cap of $1.61 billion, a PE ratio of 10.95 and a beta of 0.38. Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. has a 12-month low of $22.34 and a 12-month high of $35.69.

Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE:FDP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.01. Fresh Del Monte Produce had a return on equity of 6.52% and a net margin of 3.45%. The company had revenue of $1.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.34 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 14th were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.58%. Fresh Del Monte Produce’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Fresh Del Monte Produce from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Company Profile

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc, through its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Fresh and Value-Added Products, Banana, and Other Products and Services.