Stock Traders Buy Large Volume of Invesco Call Options (NYSE:IVZ)

Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Tuesday. Stock traders acquired 16,806 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 435% compared to the typical daily volume of 3,141 call options.

Invesco Trading Up 8.8 %

IVZ stock opened at $19.32 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 4.91 and a current ratio of 4.91. Invesco has a one year low of $14.16 and a one year high of $19.49. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $17.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.27. The company has a market capitalization of $8.68 billion, a PE ratio of -20.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.43.

Invesco (NYSE:IVZ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The asset manager reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.01. Invesco had a negative net margin of 3.00% and a positive return on equity of 8.83%. As a group, analysts predict that Invesco will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Invesco Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be given a dividend of $0.205 per share. This represents a $0.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.25%. Invesco’s payout ratio is currently -89.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Invesco by 484.9% during the 3rd quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,550 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Invesco during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in Invesco by 304.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,400 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,806 shares during the period. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Invesco during the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new position in Invesco during the 3rd quarter valued at $76,000. 66.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently commented on IVZ. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Invesco in a research report on Tuesday. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $19.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Invesco from $20.00 to $19.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Invesco from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $18.50.

Invesco Company Profile

Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds.