Post (NYSE:POST) Sets New 52-Week High on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Friday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The company traded as high as $108.17 and last traded at $103.55, with a volume of 168838 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $104.90.

The company reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $2 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.03 billion. Post had a return on equity of 10.51% and a net margin of 4.03%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.10 earnings per share.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on POST. Barclays upped their price objective on Post from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Post from $110.00 to $128.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Post from $98.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Post presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $109.67.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Thomas C. Erb purchased 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $104.24 per share, for a total transaction of $104,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 33,475 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,489,434. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CEO Nicolas Catoggio sold 300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.11, for a total transaction of $31,233.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 74,992 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,807,417.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Thomas C. Erb bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $104.24 per share, with a total value of $104,240.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 33,475 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,489,434. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 10.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Post

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of POST. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S acquired a new position in shares of Post during the 1st quarter valued at $98,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new stake in Post in the first quarter valued at $121,000. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in shares of Post by 3.2% during the first quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 55,073 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,890,000 after purchasing an additional 1,687 shares during the period. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Post during the first quarter valued at about $132,000. Finally, Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Post during the 1st quarter worth about $914,000. 94.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Post Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $6.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.03 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $104.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $95.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.99.

About Post

Post Holdings, Inc operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, and Refrigerated Retail. The Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets, and sells branded and private label ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals under Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, and Malt-O-Meal brand names; hot cereal; peanut butter under the Peter Pan brand; and branded and private label dog and cat food products under Rachael Ray Nutrish, Nature's Recipe, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and Gravy Train brand names.