Post (NYSE:POST) Reaches New 52-Week High – Should You Buy?

Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as $125.84 and last traded at $119.80, with a volume of 394541 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $119.76.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on POST. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Post from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Post from $120.00 to $116.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $124.17.

Post Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $6.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.24 and a beta of 0.66. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $113.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $111.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 2.36 and a quick ratio of 1.56.

Insider Activity at Post

In related news, COO Jeff A. Zadoks sold 28,969 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.96, for a total transaction of $3,475,121.24. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 67,788 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,131,848.48. This represents a 29.94 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Bradly A. Harper sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.09, for a total value of $120,090.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,220 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,347,409.80. This trade represents a 8.18 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 35,969 shares of company stock valued at $4,322,051. Insiders own 10.70% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Post

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in Post during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Post during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Quarry LP increased its holdings in Post by 244.9% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 338 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the period. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new position in Post in the second quarter worth approximately $62,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in Post by 780.0% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 704 shares of the company’s stock valued at $81,000 after acquiring an additional 624 shares in the last quarter. 94.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.