Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS) Sets New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

Federal Signal Co. (NYSE:FSS)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $73.05 and last traded at $74.24, with a volume of 15945 shares. The stock had previously closed at $75.18.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Federal Signal from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 1st. Raymond James reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $110.00 price objective on shares of Federal Signal in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th.

Federal Signal Stock Down 1.8 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $88.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $90.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.51 billion, a PE ratio of 21.39, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The conglomerate reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.87. The business had revenue of $472.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $481.90 million. Federal Signal had a return on equity of 18.46% and a net margin of 11.57%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Federal Signal Co. will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Federal Signal Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.14 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from Federal Signal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.76%. Federal Signal’s dividend payout ratio is currently 15.95%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Jennifer L. Sherman bought 1,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 28th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $82.32 per share, for a total transaction of $102,900.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 559,183 shares in the company, valued at $46,031,944.56. This represents a 0.22 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 3.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Federal Signal

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Capital World Investors purchased a new stake in Federal Signal during the 4th quarter worth about $79,810,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Federal Signal during the fourth quarter worth about $78,192,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Federal Signal in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,636,000. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Federal Signal by 56.5% during the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 894,136 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $82,609,000 after buying an additional 322,676 shares during the period. Finally, ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in Federal Signal during the third quarter worth approximately $28,863,000. 92.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Federal Signal

Federal Signal Corp. engages in the design and manufacture of products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial, and commercial customers. It operates through the Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group segments. The Environment Solutions Group segment is involved in the manufacture and supply of street sweeper vehicles, sewer cleaners, vacuum loader trucks, hydro-excavation trucks, and water blasting equipment.