Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM) Hits New 1-Year Low – Should You Sell?

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM)’s share price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $66.05 and last traded at $66.2150, with a volume of 1238888 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $67.32.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on SFM. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $88.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $91.00 target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen raised Sprouts Farmers Market from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday. BMO Capital Markets set a $90.00 price target on Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group set a $108.00 price objective on Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sprouts Farmers Market has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $127.69.

Sprouts Farmers Market Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $77.23 and a 200 day moving average of $103.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The firm has a market cap of $6.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.74, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 0.76.

Insider Activity

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sprouts Farmers Market

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SFM. TD Private Client Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,309.1% in the fourth quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% during the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter.

About Sprouts Farmers Market

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.