Short Interest in Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) Declines By 7.8%

Freshpet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,110,000 shares, a decrease of 7.8% from the January 15th total of 4,460,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 579,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 7.1 days.

Insider Transactions at Freshpet

In related news, President Scott James Morris sold 5,000 shares of Freshpet stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.13, for a total transaction of $790,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 122,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,351,949.40. This trade represents a 3.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 3.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Elequin Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Freshpet in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in Freshpet by 302.0% in the fourth quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 201 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Freshpet during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its holdings in shares of Freshpet by 130.9% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 217 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the period. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Freshpet in the 4th quarter valued at $39,000.

Freshpet Stock Up 1.8 %

FRPT traded up $2.38 on Tuesday, reaching $131.99. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,172,491 shares, compared to its average volume of 700,355. The company has a market capitalization of $6.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 148.31 and a beta of 1.42. Freshpet has a fifty-two week low of $87.87 and a fifty-two week high of $164.07. The company has a quick ratio of 3.91, a current ratio of 4.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $147.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $143.34.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FRPT has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Freshpet from $157.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. StockNews.com cut shares of Freshpet from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Freshpet from $160.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on Freshpet from $155.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Freshpet from $161.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $164.29.

About Freshpet

Freshpet, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and markets natural fresh meals and treats for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It sells dog food, cat food, and dog treats under the Freshpet brand name; and Dognation and Dog Joy labels through various classes of retail, including grocery, mass, club, pet specialty, and natural, as well as online.