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Stacy W. Hilgendorf, Vice President and Controller at Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM), recently sold shares of the company’s common stock, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The transaction, which occurred on March 17, involved the sale of 890 shares at a price of $137.42 per share, totaling $122,303. The sale comes as SFM stock has delivered an impressive 126% return over the past year, with InvestingPro data showing 11 analysts recently revising earnings estimates upward for the upcoming period.
This sale was conducted to cover the withholding tax liability incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock units, as per the company’s equity incentive plan. Following the transaction, Hilgendorf retains direct ownership of 9,347 shares, which include 6,119 shares of common stock and 3,228 restricted stock units. Some of these restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in the coming years, contingent upon continued employment. According to InvestingPro analysis, SFM currently trades at a premium to its Fair Value, with a P/E ratio of 37.4x and maintains a "Good" financial health score.
Investors will note that this transaction was broker-assisted and not a discretionary trade by Hilgendorf. For deeper insights into SFM’s valuation metrics and 15+ additional ProTips, access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available exclusively on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Sprouts Farmers Market reported impressive financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024. The company’s earnings per share (EPS) reached $0.79, exceeding analyst expectations of $0.71, marking a 61% increase year-over-year. Revenue also surpassed forecasts, coming in at $2 billion against the anticipated $1.95 billion, representing a 17.5% rise. These results highlight Sprouts Farmers Market’s strong performance, driven by a focus on health-conscious products and a differentiated product assortment. Additionally, the company expanded its footprint by opening 33 new stores in 2024 and achieved e-commerce sales exceeding $1 billion.
Jefferies analyst Matt Fishbein responded to these developments by raising the price target for Sprouts Farmers Market to $139 from $119, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. The company’s management has provided guidance for 2025 that exceeds consensus estimates, although they anticipate a slowdown in comparable store sales growth in the latter half of the year. Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open at least 35 new stores in 2025 and introduce a loyalty program in the second half of the year. The company projects total sales growth of 10.5% to 12.5% and adjusted EPS between $4.52 and $4.68 for 2025.
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