Board of the Pension Protection Fund Takes $745,000 Position in Campbell Soup (NASDAQ:CPB)

Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in Campbell Soup (NASDAQ:CPB) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 17,800 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $745,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brookstone Capital Management lifted its position in shares of Campbell Soup by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 23,859 shares of the company’s stock worth $999,000 after purchasing an additional 994 shares during the period. Czech National Bank grew its holdings in Campbell Soup by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 42,590 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,784,000 after acquiring an additional 2,450 shares during the period. Pensionfund Sabic raised its position in shares of Campbell Soup by 43.3% in the 4th quarter. Pensionfund Sabic now owns 29,800 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,248,000 after acquiring an additional 9,000 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its stake in shares of Campbell Soup by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 381,269 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,941,000 after purchasing an additional 12,331 shares during the period. Finally, Everence Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Campbell Soup during the 4th quarter valued at about $569,000. Institutional investors own 52.35% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Campbell Soup

In related news, EVP Anthony Sanzio sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.90, for a total transaction of $83,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,551 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $693,486.90. This represents a 10.78 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 20.19% of the company’s stock.

Campbell Soup Price Performance

Campbell Soup stock opened at $38.81 on Wednesday. Campbell Soup has a 52 week low of $37.61 and a 52 week high of $52.81. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $42.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.40. The stock has a market cap of $11.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74.

Campbell Soup Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. This is a boost from Campbell Soup’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. Campbell Soup’s dividend payout ratio is currently 85.25%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on CPB. Argus raised Campbell Soup from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $59.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $51.00 price target on shares of Campbell Soup in a report on Monday, December 2nd. DA Davidson reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $51.00 price objective on shares of Campbell Soup in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Barclays decreased their target price on Campbell Soup from $49.00 to $46.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Campbell Soup from $45.00 to $43.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Campbell Soup has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $50.75.

About Campbell Soup

Campbell Soup Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Meals & Beverages and Snacks segments. The Meals & Beverages segment engages in the retail and foodservice businesses in the United States and Canada.