Inceptionr LLC Cuts Stake in Service Co. International (NYSE:SCI)

Inceptionr LLC decreased its holdings in Service Co. International (NYSE:SCI) by 8.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,287 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,058 shares during the period. Inceptionr LLC’s holdings in Service Co. International were worth $1,699,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Service Co. International during the 4th quarter valued at $12,975,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in Service Co. International during the 4th quarter valued at $52,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Service Co. International by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,724 shares of the company’s stock valued at $297,000 after buying an additional 256 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp boosted its position in Service Co. International by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 12,434 shares of the company’s stock valued at $993,000 after buying an additional 1,186 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Service Co. International by 13.5% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 123,998 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,898,000 after buying an additional 14,738 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.53% of the company’s stock.

Service Co. International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SCI opened at $79.17 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83. Service Co. International has a 12 month low of $67.19 and a 12 month high of $89.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.42 billion, a PE ratio of 22.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.90. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $78.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $79.98.

Service Co. International (NYSE:SCI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.06. Service Co. International had a net margin of 12.39% and a return on equity of 32.18%. Equities analysts expect that Service Co. International will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Service Co. International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.62%. This is a positive change from Service Co. International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. Service Co. International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.06%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Service Co. International from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on shares of Service Co. International from $86.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $88.50.

Service Co. International Profile

Service Corp. International engages in the provision of funeral goods and services. It operates through the Funeral and Cemetery segments. The Funeral segment offers services related to cremations, including the use of home facilities and motor vehicles, arranging and directing services, removal, preparation, embalming, memorialization, and catering.