In a significant move highlighting growing institutional confidence, Shufro Rose & Co. LLC has notably increased its stake in Village Super Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:VLGEA), reflecting a broader trend of heightened interest from major financial players in the grocery retail sector.
According to its latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shufro Rose & Co. LLC expanded its holdings in Village Super Market by an impressive 17.3% during the first quarter. This substantial share acquisition elevated their total ownership to 16,194 shares, underscoring a strategic belief in the company’s financial performance.
This particular investment positions Shufro Rose & Co. LLC as a key holder, with their stake in Village Super Market now valued at approximately $616,000 as of the most recent reporting period. This acquisition alone represents a noteworthy commitment to the supermarket chain’s market trajectory.
Shufro Rose & Co. LLC is not alone in its optimistic outlook for Village Super Market stock. A consortium of other hedge funds and institutional investors has also adjusted their positions, indicating a collective positive sentiment. For instance, GAMMA Investing LLC dramatically increased its stake by 8,860.7%, acquiring 2,481 additional shares, bringing their total to 2,509 shares valued at $95,000.
Further reinforcing this trend of increased institutional investment, BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings by 239.9% in the fourth quarter, now owning 5,945 shares worth $190,000. Similarly, Deutsche Bank AG and Wells Fargo & Company MN also reported significant increases in their VLGEA shares, contributing to the overall 39.02% institutional ownership of the company’s stock.
From a financial standpoint, Village Super Market’s shares opened at $33.94, presenting a robust profile with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 1.06, and a quick ratio of 0.78. These figures highlight the company’s stable financial health and operational efficiency within the competitive supermarket industry.
Market capitalization stands at $500.95 million, supported by a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.96 and a beta of 0.51, suggesting a relatively stable investment. The stock has demonstrated resilience, with a 50-day simple moving average of $37.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $35.59, navigating its 12-month low of $26.37 and a high of $40.15.
In a move that will likely appeal to investors seeking consistent returns, Village Super Market recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, paid on July 24th. This translates to an annualized dividend of $1.00 and a yield of 2.9%, with a prudent payout ratio of 26.39%, signaling a commitment to shareholder value.
Beyond its financial metrics, Village Super Market, Inc. operates an extensive chain of supermarkets across the United States, offering a comprehensive range of products including grocery, meat, produce, dairy, deli, seafood, prepared foods, and bakery items. The company also diversifies its offerings with non-food products like health and beauty care, general merchandise, liquor, and pharmacy items, available through both retail and online channels.
