Here’s Why FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund Started Trimming Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM)

Core Insights - The FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund reported a return of 7.46% in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000 Value Index which returned 12.60% [1] - For the first three quarters of 2025, the fund achieved a return of 13.77%, outperforming the index's 9.04% [1] - The fund's investment strategy emphasizes a disciplined approach, expecting to perform better in down markets and lag in speculative environments [1] Company Overview: Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. - Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) specializes in fresh, natural, and organic food products, with a market capitalization of $7.997 billion as of November 21, 2025 [2] - The stock experienced a one-month return of -23.38% and a 52-week decline of 44.70% [2] - The company reported a 13% increase in sales, reaching $2.2 billion in Q3 2025 [4] Investment Analysis - The FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund highlighted Sprouts Farmers Market for its strong operating margins and attractive returns on capital [3] - The company accelerated its store growth from 12 to 33 new stores in 2024, indicating strong unit economic growth [3] - Despite previous strong performance, the stock has lagged in sales growth and price, leading the fund to trim its position as valuations reached the upper end of a reasonable range [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Sprouts Farmers Market is not among the top 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 54 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q2 2025, up from 50 in the previous quarter [4]