Rockwell Automation Rating Lowered to Market Perform at Wells Fargo & Co. (ROK)

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) was downgraded by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Co. from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report issued on Wednesday, TheFlyOnTheWall.com reports. The analysts noted that the move was a valuation call.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) traded up 0.76% on Wednesday, hitting $96.36. Rockwell Automation has a 1-year low of $65.36 and a 1-year high of $96.34. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $88.0. The company has a market cap of $13.458 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.81.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.33 earnings per share. Rockwell Automation’s revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Rockwell Automation has set its FY13 guidance at $5.50-5.70 EPS. Analysts expect that Rockwell Automation will post $5.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of other firms have also recently commented on ROK. Analysts at Ned Davis Research upgraded shares of Rockwell Automation from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note to investors on Monday, July 8th. Separately, analysts at Credit Agricole initiated coverage on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research note to investors on Monday, July 8th. They set an “outperform” rating on the stock. Finally, analysts at Zacks reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research note to investors on Wednesday, June 26th. They now have a $87.00 price target on the stock.

One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Rockwell Automation presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $90.80.

Rockwell Automation, Inc (NYSE:ROK) is a provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage for their businesses.