Hostess Brands (TWNK) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Hostess Brands (NASDAQ:TWNK) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Buy” from the seven analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.00.

Several analysts have weighed in on TWNK shares. Zacks Investment Research raised Hostess Brands from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, April 27th. UBS AG began coverage on Hostess Brands in a research note on Monday, July 31st. They set a “neutral” rating and a $16.00 price objective on the stock. BidaskClub raised Hostess Brands from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Deutsche Bank AG set a $19.00 price objective on Hostess Brands and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. Finally, Stephens began coverage on Hostess Brands in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $20.00 price objective on the stock.

Hostess Brands (NASDAQ TWNK) traded up 1.398% during trading on Wednesday, hitting $13.415. 411,060 shares of the stock traded hands. Hostess Brands has a 52-week low of $10.65 and a 52-week high of $17.18. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $15.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.71. The stock’s market cap is $1.34 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 Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $203.18 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $205.41 million. On average, analysts anticipate that Hostess Brands will post $0.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, insider Cdm Hostess Class C, Llc sold 376,211 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.70, for a total transaction of $6,282,723.70. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 214,000 shares in the company, valued at $3,573,800. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Michael John Cramer bought 5,000 shares of Hostess Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $13.98 per share, for a total transaction of $69,900.00. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have purchased 130,000 shares of company stock worth $1,901,900. Corporate insiders own 25.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Personal Financial Services acquired a new position in Hostess Brands during the first quarter valued at $106,000. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Hostess Brands during the second quarter valued at $113,000. First Mercantile Trust Co. acquired a new position in Hostess Brands during the first quarter valued at $141,000. First Trust Bank Ltd. acquired a new position in Hostess Brands during the first quarter valued at $159,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA increased its position in Hostess Brands by 896.1% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 9,881 shares of the company’s stock valued at $159,000 after buying an additional 8,889 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.39% of the company’s stock.

About Hostess Brands

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.