Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) Price Target Raised to $78.00

Freshpet (NASDAQ:FRPT) had its price objective increased by equities research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $66.00 to $78.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “buy” rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price target suggests a potential upside of 14.70% from the stock’s current price.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating and issued a $63.00 price target on shares of Freshpet in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. DA Davidson upgraded Freshpet to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Freshpet from $75.00 to $70.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Freshpet from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price objective on Freshpet from $75.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $74.94.

Freshpet Stock Performance

Shares of Freshpet stock traded down $3.46 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $68.01. The company had a trading volume of 210,146 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,516,001. Freshpet has a 1-year low of $46.45 and a 1-year high of $86.00. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $55.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $62.56. The stock has a market cap of $3.34 billion, a PE ratio of 18.33 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 6.18 and a quick ratio of 5.26.

Insider Activity at Freshpet

In related news, CEO William B. Cyr sold 42,907 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.92, for a total transaction of $2,056,103.44. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 204,585 shares in the company, valued at $9,803,713.20. This represents a 17.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Over the last 90 days, insiders purchased 4,211 shares of company stock valued at $215,027 and sold 235,262 shares valued at $11,664,591. 4.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Freshpet

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in Freshpet by 86.3% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 67,623 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,624,000 after acquiring an additional 31,334 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in shares of Freshpet by 734.1% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,810 shares of the company’s stock worth $151,000 after purchasing an additional 1,593 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in shares of Freshpet during the first quarter valued at approximately $247,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Freshpet by 1,388.2% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 506 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 472 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cresset Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Freshpet by 140.3% in the second quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 6,296 shares of the company’s stock valued at $428,000 after purchasing an additional 3,676 shares in the last quarter.

Freshpet News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Freshpet this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results exceeded expectations: Freshpet reported second-quarter revenue of approximately $305.6 million, up 15.5% year over year and ahead of the roughly $292.4 million consensus estimate. Earnings per share also surpassed analyst expectations, with reported EPS of $0.39 versus a $0.22 consensus estimate. Freshpet earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: Growth and margins improved: Sales growth was driven primarily by higher volume. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $52.2 million from $44.4 million, while adjusted gross margin expanded to 48.6% from 46.9%, helped by lower input costs and improved plant utilization. Freshpet second-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: 2026 outlook was raised: Management now expects full-year net sales growth of 10% to 12% and adjusted EBITDA of $210 million to $220 million. Freshpet also increased its long-term adjusted gross-margin target to above 49%, reinforcing expectations for continued operating leverage. Freshpet raises 2026 outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains constructive: William Blair maintained a Buy rating, citing Freshpet’s category leadership, potential margin expansion and improving cash flow outlook. Freshpet Buy rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an Equal-weight rating but lowered its price target to $72 from $77, implying limited upside at the current trading level. Morgan Stanley Freshpet rating
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity has been weighted toward selling, including significant sales by CEO William B. Cyr. This may add a modest sentiment risk, although it does not offset the immediate earnings-driven positives.

About Freshpet

Freshpet Inc (NASDAQ: FRPT) is a leading pet food company specializing in fresh, refrigerated meals and treats for dogs and cats. The company’s products are formulated with carefully selected, natural ingredients and are designed to offer a higher level of nutrition and freshness than traditional dry or canned pet foods. Freshpet’s offerings include refrigerated rolls, pâtés and snacks, all of which are sold through the refrigerated section of grocery, mass-market and pet specialty stores.

Freshpet’s product portfolio is built around the concept of fresh, minimally processed recipes that do not require preservatives or artificial colors.