Clearbridge Investments LLC Cuts Stake in Suburban Propane Partners by Half in 2nd Quarter
October 10, 2024

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Suburban Propane Partners ($NYSE:SPH), L.P. is a publicly traded company that specializes in retail marketing and distribution of propane, fuel oil, and related products and services. The company’s stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “SPH”, has been a popular investment choice for many investors due to its strong track record of stable and consistent dividend payments.
However, in the second quarter of this year, one major investment firm, Clearbridge Investments LLC, made a significant change to its holdings of Suburban Propane Partners. According to Clearbridge’s 13F filing, the firm reduced its stake in Suburban Propane Partners by 50.0% during the second quarter. This means that they sold off half of their shares in the company during this period. The move comes as a surprise to many investors, as Clearbridge had been a long-time holder of Suburban Propane Partners’ stock. It is worth noting that Clearbridge Investments LLC is not the only major investment firm to make changes to its holdings of Suburban Propane Partners in the second quarter. Other notable firms such as BlackRock Inc. and Vanguard Group Inc. also reported decreases in their ownership of the company’s stock. The reasons behind Clearbridge’s decision to cut its stake in Suburban Propane Partners are not entirely clear. It could be due to various factors such as changes in market conditions or a shift in their investment strategy. However, it is worth noting that despite the decrease in ownership from major firms, Suburban Propane Partners’ stock has remained relatively stable in value. Overall, while the decrease in stake by Clearbridge Investments LLC may raise some concerns among investors, it is important to keep in mind that Suburban Propane Partners is still a strong and stable company with a solid track record. Investors should continue to monitor any further developments from other major firms and keep an eye on the company’s performance in the coming quarters.
Stock Price
This announcement comes after the company’s stock opened at $17.55 and closed at $17.82 on Friday, showing a 1.42% increase from its previous closing price of $17.57. The company has a strong presence across various regions in the United States, providing services to both residential and commercial customers. This could be due to various reasons such as changes in market conditions or a shift in their portfolio allocation. It is also worth mentioning that this decision does not necessarily reflect the performance of SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS as a company, but rather a strategic move by Clearbridge Investments LLC. This news may cause some concern among investors and shareholders of SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS as Clearbridge Investments LLC was one of the top stakeholders in the company with a significant ownership percentage.
However, it is important to note that this change in stake does not necessarily indicate a negative outlook for the company. SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS still remains a strong player in the propane and fuel industry, with a solid track record of providing reliable and efficient services to its customers. However, it is crucial to understand that this decision is a part of Clearbridge Investments LLC’s investment strategy and does not reflect any negative sentiments towards SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS as a company. Investors and shareholders should continue to monitor the performance of the company and make informed decisions based on thorough research and analysis. Live Quote…
About the Company
Income Snapshot
Below shows the total revenue, net income and net margin for SPH. More…
| Total Revenues | Net Income | Net Margin |
| 1.4k | 102.81 | 7.4% |
Cash Flow Snapshot
Below shows the cash from operations, investing and financing for SPH. More…
| Operations | Investing | Financing |
| 225.24 | -170.64 | -44.63 |
Balance Sheet Snapshot
Below shows the total assets, liabilities and book value per share for SPH. More…
| Total Assets | Total Liabilities | Book Value Per Share |
| 2.27k | 1.72k | 8.53 |
Key Ratios Snapshot
Some of the financial key ratios for SPH are shown below. More…
| 3Y Rev Growth | 3Y Operating Profit Growth | Operating Margin |
| 9.0% | 11.9% | 12.8% |
| FCF Margin | ROE | ROA |
| 12.9% | 20.5% | 4.9% |
Analysis
Upon examining SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, I have found that this company has a strong foundation. Its intermediate health score of 6/10 on the Star Chart is a promising sign, as it indicates that the company has solid cash flows and is likely to pay off its debt while being able to fund future operations. However, it may not be the top choice for investors looking for growth opportunities, as it ranks weak in asset, dividend, and growth categories. This suggests that the company is more focused on maintaining its current level of success rather than aggressively expanding. As such, it may not be suitable for investors seeking high returns in a short period of time. Based on its classification as ‘sloth’ on our analysis, SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS may be more appealing to conservative investors. This type of company tends to have slower revenue or earnings growth compared to the overall economy. Therefore, it may be appealing to investors who prioritize stability and steady returns over rapid growth. In conclusion, investors who are interested in stable cash flows and potential long-term profitability may find SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS to be a suitable investment option. However, those seeking high growth opportunities may want to look elsewhere. Ultimately, it is important for investors to consider their own risk tolerance and investment goals before making any decisions. More…

Peers
The company faces competition from other large propane companies such as Atmos Energy Corp, Spire Inc and Unimot SA, who all strive to provide competitively priced and efficient services to their respective customers.
– Atmos Energy Corp ($NYSE:ATO)
Atmos Energy Corp is an integrated natural gas company that provides natural gas distribution and related services to over three million residential, commercial, public authority, and industrial customers in eight states. As of 2023, Atmos Energy Corp had a market cap of 15.35 billion and a Return on Equity (ROE) of 6.44%. The market cap of a company is the total value of its outstanding shares of stock and is calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the current market price of the stock. Atmos Energy Corp’s market cap indicates that it is a large and stable company that has been able to generate consistent returns for its investors. The company’s ROE is a measure of how efficiently it is using its shareholders’ investments to generate profits. Atmos Energy Corp’s 6.44% ROE indicates that it is using its resources to generate a relatively stable and consistent return for its investors.
– Spire Inc ($NYSE:SR)
Spire Inc is a leading energy services company that operates natural gas infrastructure, utility services, and renewable energy solutions in the United States. With a market cap of 3.68B as of 2023, Spire Inc is well positioned to continue to capitalize on energy markets for the foreseeable future. Its Return on Equity (ROE) has also been strong at 8.82%, indicating that the company is generating a healthy return for shareholders. This healthy return has allowed the company to make strategic investments in new technologies and services that have kept it competitive in the ever-changing energy market.
– Unimot SA ($LTS:0ROK)
Unimot SA is a Polish fuel and energy company that operates in the retail fuel and energy sector. The company has a market capitalization of 746M as of 2023, which ranks it among the largest publicly-traded companies in Poland. Unimot SA has also maintained a strong Return on Equity (ROE) of 37.34%, a sign of the company’s strong financial performance. Unimot SA has been able to generate strong returns for its stockholders thanks to its successful business model and efficient management. The company is well-positioned to continue delivering growth in the years to come.
Summary
Clearbridge Investments LLC reduced its stake in Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. by half during the second quarter. This move was part of a larger trend in the investment community, as many analysts and investors are becoming more cautious about the outlook for this company. While the specific reasons for this shift are not entirely clear, it is likely due to a combination of factors such as changes in industry dynamics and market conditions. As a result, it will be important for investors to closely monitor the performance of Suburban Propane Partners in the coming months to better understand the implications of this trend.
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