Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) Short Interest Up 20.8% in January

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 10,785,354 shares, an increase of 20.8% from the January 15th total of 8,931,920 shares. Approximately 11.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 3,093,477 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 3,093,477 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days. Approximately 11.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SFM has been the subject of several research reports. BMO Capital Markets set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays lowered their price target on Sprouts Farmers Market from $122.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Roth Mkm restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $91.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $135.00 to $110.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $121.54.

Insider Transactions at Sprouts Farmers Market

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sprouts Farmers Market

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SFM. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 10,355 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,691,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC raised its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 2.3% during the second quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 3,059 shares of the company’s stock worth $504,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 9,069 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,493,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 1.0% during the second quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC now owns 7,627 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,256,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the period. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 2.2% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 3,335 shares of the company’s stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the last quarter.

Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Performance

Shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock opened at $67.67 on Thursday. 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 firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $74.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $99.20. Sprouts Farmers Market has a 1 year low of $64.75 and a 1 year high of $182.00. The firm has a market cap of $6.59 billion, a PE ratio of 13.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 0.75.

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.