Stocks

B&G Foods's Stock Downgraded to Sell at StockNews.com Amid Analysts' Concerns

Published November 13, 2023

B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS), a prominent manufacturer and distributor of shelf-stable and frozen food products, has experienced a downgrade in its stock rating from 'hold' to 'sell' by analysts at StockNews.com. The reconsideration of B&G Foods's potential by the market was disclosed through a research report published on Friday. The adjustment reflects a growing caution among analysts regarding the company's stock performance and future prospects.

Analysts' Perspectives on B&G Foods

In relation to B&G Foods's current market standing, a number of financial analysts have provided insights and forecasts. Barclays has adjusted their price target from $15.00 to $10.00, maintaining an 'equal weight' rating. Concurrently, Piper Sandler transitioned their stance from 'neutral' to 'underweight', revising their price goal from $14.00 to $8.00. Furthermore, TD Cowen has decreased their price estimate from $10.00 to $9.50 and endorsed an 'underperform' rating. The Street has also revised B&G Foods from a 'c-' rating to a 'd+' rating. The aggregation of these evaluations denotes a predominant sell sentiment with an average 'Reduce' recommendation and a consensus target price hovering at $9.13.

Market Performance and Financial Highlights

Opening at $8.32 on Friday, B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS) exhibited a tempered trading posture. The company, with its $601.47 million market capitalization, showcased a PE ratio of -14.60, coupled with a beta of 0.53, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market. B&G Foods has witnessed both a 52-week low and high, flanked by $7.20 and $16.68, respectively. Its movement tracks a 50-day moving average of $9.40 and is below the 200-day moving average of $12.12. The company's current and quick ratios are 1.52 and 1.04, respectively, while it grapples with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30.

The latest quarterly earnings report underscored a $0.27 EPS, surpassing consensus estimates by $0.04. Despite outperforming earnings expectations, B&G Foods revealed a 2.11% negative net margin and a 4.9% revenue decrement compared to the previous year. Looking ahead, analysts are predicting B&G Foods to post earnings of $1 per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Interest in B&G Foods

In recent movements, Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB), headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, has amplified its holdings in B&G Foods by 203.4%, now owning 1,702 shares valued at approximately $26,000. This signals a notable shift, echoing a broader trend among hedge funds and institutional investors who currently own about 63.15% of B&G Foods's stock. Other significant trades include acquisitions and increased positions by Tower Research Capital LLC TRC, State of Wyoming, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd., and Russell Investments Group Ltd.

About B&G Foods and Fifth Third Bancorp

B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS), headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, has established a robust presence in the food industry with an extensive collection of brands and products that cater to a variety of consumer preferences. Meanwhile, Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB), the principal subsidiary of a diversified bank holding company, continues to exhibit growth in its financial services and asset management sectors.

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