Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. Purchases 7,502 Shares of S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)

Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. raised its stake in S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) by 1.4% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 540,074 shares of the business services provider’s stock after buying an additional 7,502 shares during the period. S&P Global comprises approximately 4.4% of Comgest Global Investors S.A.S.’s holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. Comgest Global Investors S.A.S.’s holdings in S&P Global were worth $268,973,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Human Investing LLC bought a new position in S&P Global in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in S&P Global in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its position in shares of S&P Global by 131.0% during the fourth quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 67 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of S&P Global by 700.0% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 72 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BankPlus Trust Department bought a new stake in S&P Global in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 87.17% of the company’s stock.

S&P Global Stock Performance

Shares of SPGI stock opened at $465.14 on Monday. S&P Global Inc. has a 52-week low of $407.69 and a 52-week high of $545.39. The company’s 50 day moving average is $504.81 and its 200 day moving average is $506.14. The firm has a market cap of $145.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.66, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34.

S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The business services provider reported $3.77 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.41 by $0.36. S&P Global had a net margin of 27.12% and a return on equity of 14.33%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.13 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that S&P Global Inc. will post 17.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

S&P Global Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th were paid a dividend of $0.96 per share. This is a positive change from S&P Global’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 26th. This represents a $3.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.83%. S&P Global’s dividend payout ratio is presently 31.09%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on SPGI shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of S&P Global from $595.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on S&P Global from $599.00 to $608.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Bank of America assumed coverage on S&P Global in a report on Thursday. They issued a “buy” rating and a $600.00 target price for the company. UBS Group increased their price target on S&P Global from $610.00 to $640.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of S&P Global from $576.00 to $590.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, S&P Global currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $595.14.

S&P Global Profile

S&P Global, Inc engages in the provision of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide. It operates through the following segments: Market Intelligence, Ratings, Commodity Insights, Mobility, Indices, and Engineering Solutions.