US Bancorp DE Purchases 650 Shares of Pilgrim’s Pride Co. (NASDAQ:PPC)

US Bancorp DE increased its position in shares of Pilgrim’s Pride Co. (NASDAQ:PPC) by 23.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,445 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 650 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE’s holdings in Pilgrim’s Pride were worth $156,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in Pilgrim’s Pride by 325.8% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 55,071 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,485,000 after buying an additional 42,136 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its stake in Pilgrim’s Pride by 30.0% in the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 58,289 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,646,000 after buying an additional 13,459 shares in the last quarter. Sigma Planning Corp grew its stake in Pilgrim’s Pride by 73.9% in the 4th quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 28,587 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,298,000 after buying an additional 12,149 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Pilgrim’s Pride in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $808,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its stake in Pilgrim’s Pride by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 113,549 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,154,000 after buying an additional 9,035 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.64% of the company’s stock.

Pilgrim’s Pride Price Performance

Shares of Pilgrim’s Pride stock opened at $49.62 on Friday. Pilgrim’s Pride Co. has a 52-week low of $33.25 and a 52-week high of $57.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.88 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a fifty day moving average of $49.69 and a 200-day moving average of $48.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 2.01.

Pilgrim’s Pride Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be paid a $6.30 dividend. This is a boost from Pilgrim’s Pride’s previous special dividend of $2.75.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on PPC shares. StockNews.com cut shares of Pilgrim’s Pride from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Sunday, March 2nd. Santander initiated coverage on shares of Pilgrim’s Pride in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $45.50.

Pilgrim’s Pride Profile

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. engages in the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of fresh, frozen and value-added chicken and pork products to retailers, distributors, and foodservice operators. It operates through the following segments: U.S., U.K. and Europe, and Mexico. The company was founded by Lonnie A.