Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI) Hits New 1-Year High on Earnings Beat

Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $88.90 and last traded at $86.88, with a volume of 910038 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $77.29.

The company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.05. Johnson Controls International had a net margin of 6.49% and a return on equity of 14.51%.

Johnson Controls International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 23rd were paid a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 23rd. Johnson Controls International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 58.27%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Johnson Controls International from $95.00 to $92.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Johnson Controls International from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Argus upgraded Johnson Controls International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $88.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, December 20th. Melius cut Johnson Controls International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $95.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on Johnson Controls International from $62.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $87.20.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP Nathan D. Manning sold 1,421 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.44, for a total value of $108,621.24. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 148,346 shares in the company, valued at $11,339,568.24. The trade was a 0.95 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO George Oliver sold 124,497 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.67, for a total value of $10,292,166.99. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,267,716 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $104,802,081.72. This represents a 8.94 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 649,208 shares of company stock worth $54,081,073 in the last quarter. 0.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Johnson Controls International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new position in shares of Johnson Controls International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in Johnson Controls International by 195.8% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 420 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC raised its holdings in Johnson Controls International by 977.3% in the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 474 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Johnson Controls International in the fourth quarter worth $42,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its holdings in Johnson Controls International by 32.8% in the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 543 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.05% of the company’s stock.

Johnson Controls International Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $56.95 billion, a PE ratio of 34.21, a PEG ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.32. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $80.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $76.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

Johnson Controls International Company Profile

Johnson Controls International plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, and retrofitting building products and systems in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Building Solutions North America, Building Solutions EMEA/LA, Building Solutions Asia Pacific, and Global Products.