UPDATE: D.A. Davidson Lowers PT on Flowers Foods Following Stock Split

In a report published Tuesday, D.A. Davidson analyst Tim Ramey reiterated an Underperform rating on Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO), but lowered the price target from $18.00 to $12.00.

In the report, D.A. Davidson noted, “We have adjusted our price targets and earnings estimates to account for the 3:2 stock split in the form of a stock dividend. Our 2013 estimate is now $0.94, previously $1.40, and our 2014 estimate is $0.80, previously $1.20. We are adjusting our price target to $12 from $18, which is 15x our FY14 forecast. We note numerous press reports of start-up activity by Hostess Brands LLC. The company is restarting plants in Schiller Park, Illinois, Emporia, KS, Indianapolis, IN and Columbus, GA to make its iconic sweet bakery line. The strategy appears to be for each plant to create only a couple products, giving them a significant cost advantage over plants that previously ran multiple products.”

Flowers Foods closed on Monday at $21.47.