Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of HOSTESS BRANDS (NASDAQ:TWNK) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Tuesday.
According to Zacks, “Hostess Brands, Inc. is involved in developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing sweet goods primarily in the United States. The company produces new and classic treats which includes Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Donettes, Fruit Pies as well as Twinkies and CupCakes. Hostess Brands, Inc. is based in Kansas City, Missouri. “
Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank AG set a $19.00 price objective on shares of HOSTESS BRANDS and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. Stephens began coverage on shares of HOSTESS BRANDS in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. They set an overweight rating and a $20.00 price objective for the company. BidaskClub raised shares of HOSTESS BRANDS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Finally, UBS AG began coverage on shares of HOSTESS BRANDS in a research note on Monday, July 31st. They set a neutral rating and a $16.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $17.83.
HOSTESS BRANDS (NASDAQ:TWNK) traded up 7.79% during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $14.12. 1,238,301 shares of the company traded hands. HOSTESS BRANDS has a 12-month low of $10.48 and a 12-month high of $17.18. The company has a 50 day moving average of $15.61 and a 200-day moving average of $15.74. The stock’s market capitalization is $1.41 billion.
HOSTESS BRANDS (NASDAQ:TWNK) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $203.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $205.41 million. Equities analysts anticipate that HOSTESS BRANDS will post $0.60 EPS for the current fiscal year.
In related news, insider William Douglas Toler bought 50,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $15.85 per share, for a total transaction of $792,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 485,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,687,250. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Cdm Hostess Class C, Llc sold 376,211 shares of HOSTESS BRANDS stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.70, for a total transaction of $6,282,723.70. Following the sale, the insider now owns 214,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,573,800. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 25.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of HOSTESS BRANDS during the first quarter valued at about $624,000. Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC bought a new stake in shares of HOSTESS BRANDS during the first quarter valued at about $5,720,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of HOSTESS BRANDS by 194.2% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 343,026 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,444,000 after buying an additional 226,424 shares during the last quarter. First Personal Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of HOSTESS BRANDS during the first quarter valued at about $106,000. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of HOSTESS BRANDS during the first quarter valued at about $31,586,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.74% of the company’s stock.
HOSTESS BRANDS Company Profile
Hostess Brands, Inc, a packaged food company, focuses on developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, and distributing fresh sweet baked goods in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Sweet Baked Goods and Other. Its principal product lines include Twinkies, Zingers, Donettes, coffee cakes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, Ding Dongs, honey buns, fruit pies, Sno Balls, mini muffins, Chocodiles, Ho Hos, brownies, Suzy Qs, bread and buns, danishes, jumbo muffins, iced cookies, eclairs, and madeleines.
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