Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Sells 136,576 Shares of Danaher Corporation $DHR

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA cut its stake in shares of Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) by 6.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,116,267 shares of the conglomerate’s stock after selling 136,576 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA’s holdings in Danaher were worth $419,571,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Danaher during the 2nd quarter worth $1,979,503,000. Viking Global Investors LP grew its position in shares of Danaher by 543.9% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 2,907,515 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $574,351,000 after buying an additional 2,455,994 shares in the last quarter. Generation Investment Management LLP increased its stake in shares of Danaher by 56.2% during the second quarter. Generation Investment Management LLP now owns 4,965,646 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $980,914,000 after buying an additional 1,787,522 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA raised its holdings in shares of Danaher by 924.2% in the second quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 1,239,320 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $244,815,000 after acquiring an additional 1,118,318 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Danaher by 1.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 60,769,587 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $12,004,424,000 after acquiring an additional 788,499 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Danaher

In related news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 5,174 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.42, for a total value of $1,088,713.08. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 2,625 shares in the company, valued at $552,352.50. This trade represents a 66.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Teri List sold 3,298 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.50, for a total transaction of $746,997.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 20,762 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,702,593. This represents a 13.71% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 30,248 shares of company stock valued at $6,609,663 in the last three months. 11.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Danaher Stock Performance

Shares of DHR stock opened at $236.05 on Monday. Danaher Corporation has a 12-month low of $171.00 and a 12-month high of $258.23. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $228.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $211.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a market cap of $166.73 billion, a PE ratio of 48.67, a PEG ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.89.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.17. Danaher had a return on equity of 10.92% and a net margin of 14.44%.The firm had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.71 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Danaher Corporation will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Danaher’s dividend payout ratio is 26.39%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on DHR. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Monday, December 1st. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $270.00 price target for the company. Rothschild & Co Redburn reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $220.00 price objective (down previously from $245.00) on shares of Danaher in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Danaher from $245.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Bank of America cut their price target on Danaher from $230.00 to $220.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Finally, Leerink Partners upped their price objective on Danaher from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday. Twenty-one analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $252.83.

Danaher Company Profile

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services for the life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied markets. The company organizes its operations into business segments focused on Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions, supplying instruments, reagents, software and related services that support research, clinical testing, biopharmaceutical development, and industrial and environmental monitoring.

Products and services in Danaher’s portfolio include analytical and diagnostic instruments, laboratory consumables and reagents, digital and software solutions for workflow and data management, field and industrial monitoring equipment, and service and maintenance programs.