United Capital Management of KS Inc. Buys 2,873 Shares of Pilgrim’s Pride Co. (NASDAQ:PPC)

United Capital Management of KS Inc. raised its stake in Pilgrim’s Pride Co. (NASDAQ:PPC) by 2.1% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 139,189 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,873 shares during the period. United Capital Management of KS Inc.’s holdings in Pilgrim’s Pride were worth $6,318,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in Pilgrim’s Pride by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 93,300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,235,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Pilgrim’s Pride by 1,972.1% in the fourth quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 6,320 shares of the company’s stock valued at $287,000 after buying an additional 6,015 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Pilgrim’s Pride by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 34,835 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,581,000 after buying an additional 841 shares during the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Pilgrim’s Pride during the 4th quarter valued at $2,360,000. Finally, Moran Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Pilgrim’s Pride by 1,259.1% during the 4th quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC now owns 72,765 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,303,000 after acquiring an additional 67,411 shares during the period. 16.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Pilgrim’s Pride Stock Down 1.3 %

PPC stock opened at $49.62 on Friday. Pilgrim’s Pride Co. has a twelve month low of $33.25 and a twelve month high of $57.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.77 billion, a PE ratio of 10.88 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $49.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $48.13.

Pilgrim’s Pride Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be issued a dividend of $6.30 per share. This is a positive change from Pilgrim’s Pride’s previous special dividend of $2.75.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on PPC. Santander assumed coverage on shares of Pilgrim’s Pride in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Pilgrim’s Pride from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, March 2nd. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $45.50.

Pilgrim’s Pride Company 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.