Americold Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:COLD) has recently garnered a consensus rating of “Hold” from the fifteen research firms currently covering the company, according to Marketbeat Ratings. This rating reflects a mix of opinions, with two analysts issuing a sell rating, ten rating the stock as a hold, and three assigning a buy rating.
Several analysts have provided insights into their assessments of Americold’s stock. On October 3, KeyCorp reduced its price target from $23.00 to $18.00, maintaining an “overweight” rating. Following suit, Barclays lowered its target price from $20.00 to $17.00 on October 22, also giving the stock an “overweight” rating. Scotiabank adjusted its target from $14.00 to $12.00, setting a “sector perform” rating on November 12. In a positive shift, Zacks Research upgraded Americold from a “strong sell” to a “hold” rating on November 24. Additionally, UBS Group raised its target price from $12.00 to $13.00 while assigning a “neutral” rating.
Latest Earnings Report and Dividend Announcement
Americold Realty Trust reported its quarterly earnings on November 6, revealing earnings per share (EPS) of $0.35, which met analysts’ expectations. The company experienced a negative net margin of 2.39% and a negative return on equity of 1.96%. The firm posted revenue of $663.67 million for the quarter, slightly exceeding the anticipated $659.51 million but reflecting a 1.6% decline year-over-year. For the fiscal year 2025, Americold has set guidance of $1.390 to $1.450 EPS, with analysts forecasting an average EPS of $1.47 for the current fiscal year.
In a separate announcement, Americold declared a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, scheduled for payment on January 15, 2025. Shareholders of record on December 31, 2024, will receive this dividend, which translates to an annualized total of $0.92 and a yield of 7.0%. Notably, the company’s dividend payout ratio currently stands at -418.18%, indicating a complex financial situation.
Institutional Investment Trends
Recent activity among hedge funds has revealed shifts in their holdings of Americold Realty Trust. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd significantly increased its stake in the second quarter, boosting its holdings by 49,833.3% and now owning 1,498 shares valued at approximately $25,000. Similarly, LRI Investments LLC raised its position by 90.4% in the third quarter, acquiring 2,161 shares worth $26,000.
Geneos Wealth Management Inc. also reported a 100% increase in holdings, now owning 1,612 shares valued at $27,000. Avalon Trust Co. entered the market by purchasing a new stake worth approximately $32,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position by 252.5% in the second quarter, now holding 2,224 shares valued at around $37,000. Collectively, hedge funds and other institutional investors own approximately 98.14% of Americold’s stock.
Americold Realty Trust specializes in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics solutions. The company focuses on the storage, handling, and distribution of perishable products, boasting a global network of cold storage facilities. Its services include blast freezing, repacking, labeling, cross-docking, and transportation management, all aimed at optimizing clients’ cold chain operations.
As Americold navigates the complexities of the current market, analysts and investors will continue to monitor its performance and strategic moves in the coming quarters.
