Deutsche Bank AG Invests $3.44 Million in The Marzetti Company $MZTI

Deutsche Bank AG bought a new stake in The Marzetti Company (NASDAQ:MZTI) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm bought 30,163 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,443,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marzetti during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Marzetti in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Marzetti during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in Marzetti during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in Marzetti during the fourth quarter worth approximately $40,000. 66.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Marzetti

Here are the key news stories impacting Marzetti this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Marzetti reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $1.46 per share on revenue of approximately $465.0 million. Adjusted earnings increased 9%, while improved margins and new product launches helped offset the sales decline. Marzetti Stock Confirms Reversal on Earnings Strength, Dividend Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects gross margin to expand by about 100 basis points in fiscal 2027, supporting the outlook for continued profitability. The company’s dividend-growth record and reported institutional buying may also provide support for the stock. Marzetti expects 100 bps gross margin growth in fiscal 2027
• Neutral Sentiment: Stephens reaffirmed its “equal weight” rating and set a $140 price target, while DA Davidson maintained a “neutral” view with a $130 target. Both targets remain above the referenced share price, but the DA Davidson reduction from $168 signals lower expectations for near-term upside.
• Negative Sentiment: Consolidated fourth-quarter sales declined 2.2% to $465.0 million. Although sales increased after excluding the prior year’s temporary $12.2 million Winland Foods supply-agreement revenue, the headline miss versus analyst expectations likely pressured the shares. The Marzetti Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results
• Negative Sentiment: Management warned that Cyclospora-related costs could create an approximately 250-basis-point gross-margin headwind in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, temporarily offsetting the expected full-year margin gains.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on MZTI. DA Davidson reduced their price target on shares of Marzetti from $168.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Marzetti in a research report on Monday, August 17th. Finally, Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $140.00 price objective on shares of Marzetti in a research note on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $135.00.

Marzetti Stock Down 3.3%

MZTI stock opened at $113.45 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.11 billion, a PE ratio of 16.28 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a fifty day moving average of $111.84 and a 200-day moving average of $127.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a current ratio of 1.56. The Marzetti Company has a one year low of $104.28 and a one year high of $186.95.

Marzetti (NASDAQ:MZTI) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 25th. The company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $465.03 million for the quarter. Marzetti had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 9.93%.

Marzetti Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 8th will be given a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 8th. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Marzetti’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.60%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Luis Viso sold 1,221 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.31, for a total value of $133,467.51. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 1,924 shares in the company, valued at $210,312.44. The trade was a 38.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 29.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Marzetti

Lancaster Colony Corporation engages in the manufacturing and marketing of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels in the United States. It operates in two segments, Retail and Foodservice. The company offers frozen garlic bread under the New York BRAND Bakery; frozen Parkerhouse style yeast and dinner rolls under the Sister Schubert's brand; salad dressings under the Marzetti, Simply Dressed, Cardini's, and Girard's brands; vegetable and fruit dips under the Marzetti brand; croutons and salad toppings under the New York BRAND Bakery, Chatham Village, and Marzetti brands; and frozen pasta under the Marzetti Frozen Pasta brand.