Aviva PLC Purchases 31,293 Shares of Albertsons Companies, Inc. $ACI

Aviva PLC raised its stake in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) by 32.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 127,702 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 31,293 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC’s holdings in Albertsons Companies were worth $2,747,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 1,601.1% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,729,259 shares of the company’s stock valued at $103,807,000 after purchasing an additional 4,451,250 shares in the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new stake in Albertsons Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $81,463,000. Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Albertsons Companies by 6,541.5% during the 1st quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 3,723,616 shares of the company’s stock worth $81,882,000 after acquiring an additional 3,667,550 shares during the last quarter. Sound Shore Management Inc CT bought a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $65,530,000. Finally, LSV Asset Management grew its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 52.9% during the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 7,873,039 shares of the company’s stock worth $173,128,000 after acquiring an additional 2,724,576 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.35% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on ACI shares. Wall Street Zen cut Albertsons Companies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Monday, July 21st. They issued an “underweight” rating and a $19.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $27.00 to $23.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Albertsons Companies from $27.00 to $25.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $23.43.

Albertsons Companies Stock Up 0.2%

ACI stock opened at $17.85 on Thursday. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $16.70 and a 52 week high of $23.20. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $19.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The company has a market cap of $9.80 billion, a PE ratio of 10.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.52.

Albertsons Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Friday, October 24th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. Albertsons Companies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 35.50%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Albertsons Companies

In other Albertsons Companies news, EVP Michael T. Theilmann sold 100,000 shares of Albertsons Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.35, for a total transaction of $1,935,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 338,429 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,548,601.15. The trade was a 22.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Anuj Dhanda sold 230,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.25, for a total transaction of $4,427,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 300,577 shares in the company, valued at $5,786,107.25. This trade represents a 43.35% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of food and drug stores in the United States. The company’s food and drug retail stores offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel, and other items and services. It also manufactures and processes food products for sale in stores.