Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) Reaches New 12-Month Low Following Analyst Downgrade

Shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) hit a new 52-week low on Wednesday after Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on the stock from $23.00 to $22.00. Royal Bank of Canada currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Albertsons Companies traded as low as $19.84 and last traded at $20.09, with a volume of 2130921 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $20.32.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Roth Mkm increased their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $27.25 target price on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Wednesday, April 17th. 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. Finally, Tigress Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $27.00 price target on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $24.45.

Institutional Trading of Albertsons Companies

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC now owns 23,401 shares of the company’s stock valued at $538,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Albertsons Companies by 0.5% during the third quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 107,919 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,455,000 after purchasing an additional 519 shares during the period. Verus Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Albertsons Companies by 3.7% during the third quarter. Verus Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,998 shares of the company’s stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 540 shares during the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 3.7% in the third quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 16,645 shares of the company’s stock valued at $379,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 169,902 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,865,000 after buying an additional 620 shares during the period. 71.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Albertsons Companies Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $11.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.03, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $20.88 and a two-hundred day moving average of $21.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a current ratio of 0.84.

Albertsons Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 26th will be paid a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 25th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.39%. Albertsons Companies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 21.52%.

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.