MML Investors Services LLC Boosts Stake in Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW)

MML Investors Services LLC lifted its holdings in Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW) by 9.5% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 35,181 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,061 shares during the quarter. MML Investors Services LLC’s holdings in Lamb Weston were worth $2,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Nicola Wealth Management LTD. purchased a new position in Lamb Weston in the third quarter worth $6,474,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lamb Weston during the 2nd quarter worth $3,279,000. Clarkston Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 108.7% in the 3rd quarter. Clarkston Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,107,929 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $201,207,000 after buying an additional 1,618,570 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 39.3% in the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 156,242 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $10,115,000 after buying an additional 44,057 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Financial Bankshares Inc bought a new position in Lamb Weston during the third quarter valued at about $6,506,000. 89.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Lamb Weston Stock Performance

NYSE:LW opened at $79.27 on Monday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $76.48 and its 200 day moving average is $72.85. The firm has a market cap of $11.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.61, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 1.19. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $52.99 and a 52-week high of $111.88.

Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 1st. The specialty retailer reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.01. Lamb Weston had a return on equity of 34.33% and a net margin of 9.57%. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.55 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.63 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. will post 4.26 EPS for the current year.

Lamb Weston Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 1st were issued a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.82%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 1st. Lamb Weston’s payout ratio is 33.80%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Lamb Weston from $61.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $68.00 price target (up previously from $63.00) on shares of Lamb Weston in a report on Monday, October 7th. Barclays increased their price objective on Lamb Weston from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 4th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Lamb Weston from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price target on Lamb Weston from $68.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $82.36.

Lamb Weston Company Profile

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. It offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels.