Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Shares Sold by Private Trust Co. NA

Private Trust Co. NA decreased its position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) by 22.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 3,203 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 928 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA’s holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $915,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ROK. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the third quarter valued at $26,000. West Oak Capital LLC grew its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 455.6% in the fourth quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the third quarter valued at $34,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter valued at $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the company’s stock.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Rockwell Automation stock opened at $287.51 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $286.05 and its 200-day moving average is $278.35. The company has a market cap of $32.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.72. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $242.81 and a 12 month high of $308.70.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 30.17% and a net margin of 11.38%. Equities 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.82%. Rockwell Automation’s payout ratio is currently 65.26%.

Insider Activity at Rockwell Automation

In related news, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 1,304 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $299.61, for a total transaction of $390,691.44. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,059 shares in the company, valued at approximately $317,286.99. This trade represents a 55.18 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Blake D. Moret sold 1,741 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $296.67, for a total value of $516,502.47. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 80,309 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,825,271.03. The trade was a 2.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 6,540 shares of company stock worth $1,935,134. 0.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $315.00 to $337.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. UBS Group assumed coverage on Rockwell Automation in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $313.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $257.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Rockwell Automation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $290.00 to $350.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Rockwell Automation currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $307.55.

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.