Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) Rating Lowered to Hold at StockNews.com

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) was downgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Wednesday.

MSI has been the subject of several other reports. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $529.00 to $527.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Motorola Solutions from $495.00 to $505.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $505.88.

Motorola Solutions Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MSI traded up $21.90 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $416.62. 1,562,893 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 772,161. The stock has a market cap of $69.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.19, a PEG ratio of 3.82 and a beta of 0.94. Motorola Solutions has a 1 year low of $332.98 and a 1 year high of $507.82. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $432.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $457.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.30.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The communications equipment provider reported $3.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.85 by ($0.10). Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 14.58% and a return on equity of 197.59%. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions will post 13.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Motorola Solutions

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Center for Financial Planning Inc. raised its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 5,055 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $2,337,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC raised its position in Motorola Solutions by 11.9% during the fourth quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 235 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 22.5% in the fourth quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 136 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 2.1% in the fourth quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 1,289 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $596,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clark Capital Management Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Clark Capital Management Group Inc. now owns 636 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $294,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. 84.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.