The Clorox Company $CLX Shares Sold by Renaissance Technologies LLC

Renaissance Technologies LLC lessened its position in shares of The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) by 87.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,600 shares of the company’s stock after selling 196,700 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC’s holdings in Clorox were worth $2,860,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Clorox during the second quarter worth $29,000. Caitlin John LLC lifted its holdings in Clorox by 1,807.1% during the 4th quarter. Caitlin John LLC now owns 267 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Clorox by 83.8% during the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 318 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Clorox during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new position in shares of Clorox in the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. 78.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Clorox Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:CLX opened at $105.24 on Monday. The Clorox Company has a fifty-two week low of $84.70 and a fifty-two week high of $128.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.80. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $96.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.42. The company has a market cap of $12.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.83, a PEG ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 0.54.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.64 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.91 billion. Clorox had a net margin of 8.74% and a return on equity of 522.23%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.87 earnings per share. Clorox has set its FY 2027 guidance at 5.700-6.000 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Clorox Company will post 5.82 earnings per share for the current year.

Clorox Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 12th will be paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. This is a positive change from Clorox’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 12th. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.8%. Clorox’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 102.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on CLX shares. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their target price on Clorox from $97.00 to $95.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Barclays reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $84.00 price target on shares of Clorox in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Clorox from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Clorox from $110.00 to $97.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Clorox from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Clorox currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $102.40.

Clorox Profile

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products designed to help people care for their homes and live healthy, sustainable lives. Its portfolio spans cleaning and household products, food and beverages, water filtration systems and cat litter, serving both retail and institutional customers. The company’s flagship bleach and disinfecting products are well known in the United States and many international markets, where they help prevent the spread of germs in homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Clorox’s diverse brand lineup includes liquid bleach and surface cleaners, eco-friendly cleaning tools, food preservation and preparation items, charcoal grills and briquettes, specialty foods and beverages, pet care products and personal care lines.