Schroder Investment Management Group has reduced its stake in Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POST) by 7.7% during the second quarter of 2023. According to the company’s recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Schroder now holds 244,889 shares of Post after selling 20,379 shares in the period, valuing the remaining holdings at approximately $26.7 million.
Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in Post. Aviso Financial Inc. increased its stake by 1.0% in the first quarter, owning 10,270 shares worth $1.195 million after acquiring an additional 100 shares. Meanwhile, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings by 2.3% in the second quarter, now owning 5,075 shares valued at $553,000.
Another notable increase comes from Parallel Advisors LLC, which boosted its holdings by 17.7%, owning 844 shares valued at $92,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. also significantly increased its position by 119.5%, acquiring 248 shares valued at $27,000. Additionally, Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd. raised its holdings by 39.0%, now owning 570 shares worth $62,000.
According to reports, institutional investors now control approximately 94.85% of Post’s stock, reflecting significant interest from large financial entities.
Insider Transactions and Stock Performance
In other developments, David W. Kemper, a director at Post, purchased 1,800 shares on November 24, 2023, at an average price of $97.93 per share, totaling $176,274. Following this acquisition, Kemper’s total ownership increased to 31,522 shares, valued at approximately $3.09 million. This purchase represents a 6.06% increase in his position, underscoring his confidence in the company.
As for stock performance, shares of Post opened at $98.67 on Wednesday, marking a decline of 1.3%. Over the past year, the stock has hit a low of $96.34 and a high of $125.84. The company’s market capitalization stands at $5.15 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16.78 and a relatively low beta of 0.49.
Financial Results and Future Outlook
Post Holdings recently reported its quarterly earnings on November 20, 2023, revealing earnings per share (EPS) of $2.09 for the quarter, outperforming analysts’ expectations of $1.89 by $0.20. The company demonstrated a return on equity of 10.80% and a net margin of 4.62%. Revenue for the quarter reached $2.25 billion, matching consensus estimates and reflecting an 11.8% increase compared to the same quarter last year.
Looking ahead, sell-side analysts predict that Post Holdings will achieve an EPS of $6.41 for the current fiscal year. In a strategic move, the company’s board approved a stock repurchase program on August 29, 2023, authorizing the buyback of shares through open market transactions. Such programs often signal that a company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.
Post Holdings operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company, with a diverse portfolio that includes four segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, and Refrigerated Retail. The Post Consumer Brands segment is particularly notable for producing ready-to-eat cereals, hot cereals, and various pet food products.
As the financial landscape evolves, the actions of Schroder Investment Management Group and other institutional investors will be closely monitored, potentially impacting Post’s market trajectory in the coming quarters.
