Impax Asset Management Group plc Cuts Stock Position in Vital Farms, Inc. $VITL

Impax Asset Management Group plc trimmed its holdings in Vital Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:VITL) by 41.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 108,915 shares of the company’s stock after selling 76,085 shares during the period. Impax Asset Management Group plc’s holdings in Vital Farms were worth $4,482,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in VITL. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Vital Farms by 15.0% during the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 33,593 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,382,000 after purchasing an additional 4,386 shares in the last quarter. Bryce Point Capital LLC purchased a new position in Vital Farms in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $560,000. Renaissance Group LLC boosted its stake in Vital Farms by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Group LLC now owns 231,168 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,513,000 after purchasing an additional 14,637 shares during the period. Ranger Investment Management L.P. grew its holdings in Vital Farms by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Ranger Investment Management L.P. now owns 237,700 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,781,000 after buying an additional 1,580 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Vital Farms by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 219,450 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,030,000 after buying an additional 20,389 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.59% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Matthew Ohayer sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.91, for a total value of $558,200.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 6,341,190 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $176,982,612.90. This represents a 0.31% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Russell Diez-Canseco sold 16,734 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.05, for a total value of $586,526.70. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 649,684 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $22,771,424.20. This trade represents a 2.51% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 91,734 shares of company stock valued at $2,921,477 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 21.30% of the company’s stock.

Vital Farms Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of VITL opened at $25.80 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The business has a fifty day moving average of $30.22 and a 200 day moving average of $37.18. The company has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a PE ratio of 19.55 and a beta of 1.10. Vital Farms, Inc. has a 52-week low of $25.51 and a 52-week high of $53.13.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VITL has been the subject of a number of research reports. Needham & Company LLC restated a “buy” rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Vital Farms in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $52.00 price objective on shares of Vital Farms in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Vital Farms in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Vital Farms from $53.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Vital Farms from $48.00 to $45.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vital Farms currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $49.91.

Vital Farms Profile

Vital Farms, traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol VITL, is a U.S.-based food company specializing in pasture-raised egg and dairy products. The company partners with a network of family farms across the United States to produce eggs, butter and related items under a certified humane, pasture-centric farming model. Vital Farms’ supply chain emphasizes animal welfare, environmental stewardship and transparent sourcing, appealing to consumers seeking ethically produced, high-quality ingredients.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Vital Farms began by marketing pasture-raised eggs to health- and ethically minded shoppers.