Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. Boosts Stock Holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. boosted its position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) by 1.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,702 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after purchasing an additional 700 shares during the period. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V.’s holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $12,775,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ROK. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. West Oak Capital LLC grew its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 455.6% during the fourth quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the period. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter worth $34,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the third quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter worth $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.75% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Blake D. Moret sold 1,741 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.67, for a total value of $516,502.47. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 80,309 shares in the company, valued at $23,825,271.03. This trade represents a 2.12 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Scott Genereux sold 278 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total value of $83,967.12. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 3,184 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $961,695.36. The trade was a 8.03 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 6,540 shares of company stock valued at $1,935,134 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.68% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $345.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. KeyCorp upgraded Rockwell Automation from a “sector weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $345.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, December 9th. BNP Paribas cut Rockwell Automation from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Stephens upgraded Rockwell Automation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their price target for the company from $275.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Rockwell Automation has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $307.55.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Rockwell Automation stock opened at $284.47 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $286.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $278.11. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $242.81 and a 52 week high of $308.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.43, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.17%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.84%. Rockwell Automation’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.26%.

Rockwell Automation Company Profile

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.