Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. $SFM Shares Sold by Allianz Asset Management GmbH

Allianz Asset Management GmbH lessened its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) by 43.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 265,392 shares of the company’s stock after selling 206,072 shares during the quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned about 0.27% of Sprouts Farmers Market worth $28,875,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in SFM. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 137.0% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,584,923 shares of the company’s stock valued at $425,582,000 after acquiring an additional 1,494,014 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 12.3% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,314,665 shares of the company’s stock valued at $381,086,000 after purchasing an additional 252,699 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 52.8% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,131,607 shares of the company’s stock worth $350,948,000 after purchasing an additional 737,008 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd increased its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 157.3% during the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 1,248,891 shares of the company’s stock worth $205,617,000 after purchasing an additional 763,422 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Man Group plc raised its holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market by 44.6% in the second quarter. Man Group plc now owns 1,222,468 shares of the company’s stock valued at $201,267,000 after buying an additional 377,028 shares during the period.

Sprouts Farmers Market Trading Down 4.5%

NASDAQ:SFM opened at $66.34 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 0.75. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a one year low of $66.17 and a one year high of $182.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 1.05. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $77.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $105.42.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CMO Alisa Gmelich sold 3,161 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.39, for a total value of $250,951.79. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 5,552 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $440,773.28. The trade was a 36.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider John Scott Neal sold 17,471 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.20, for a total value of $1,488,529.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 14,178 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,207,965.60. This trade represents a 55.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on SFM. Roth Mkm reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $91.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Bank of America lowered their price target on Sprouts Farmers Market from $200.00 to $160.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Sprouts Farmers Market from $148.00 to $140.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen lowered Sprouts Farmers Market from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, December 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a $90.00 price target on Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $127.69.

Sprouts Farmers Market Company Profile

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.

Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.