IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd Has $2.78 Million Stake in Dole PLC $DOLE

IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd increased its stake in shares of Dole PLC (NYSE:DOLE) by 117.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 207,086 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 111,829 shares during the quarter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd owned approximately 0.22% of Dole worth $2,783,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DOLE. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Dole by 147.3% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,350,546 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,878,000 after buying an additional 804,471 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Dole during the first quarter worth $6,749,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its stake in Dole by 951.9% in the second quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 500,997 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,009,000 after purchasing an additional 453,371 shares in the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd grew its stake in Dole by 75.9% in the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 582,402 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,148,000 after purchasing an additional 251,396 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Dole by 15.8% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,830,254 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,605,000 after purchasing an additional 249,842 shares during the last quarter.

Dole Stock Performance

NYSE:DOLE opened at $16.22 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.54 billion, a PE ratio of 108.13, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. Dole PLC has a 1 year low of $12.52 and a 1 year high of $16.57. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $15.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $14.22.

Dole (NYSE:DOLE) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.17 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $2.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.25 billion. Dole had a net margin of 0.17% and a return on equity of 7.98%. The firm’s revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.19 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Dole PLC will post 1.19 EPS for the current year.

Dole declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Monday, November 10th that allows the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 8.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DOLE has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised Dole from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, December 13th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Dole in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $16.00.

Dole Company Profile

Dole plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables. The company’s product range includes bananas, pineapples, berries, grapes, salads and a variety of other fresh and packaged produce, sold under the Dole brand and through private-label arrangements. Dole’s operations span the full fresh-produce value chain, from farming and sourcing to packing, ripening, cold‑chain logistics and wholesale and retail distribution, supporting both retail grocery and foodservice customers.

The company traces its commercial heritage to the early 20th century Hawaiian pineapple business founded by James Dole and has evolved through subsequent corporate restructurings and combinations.