Summit Securities Group LLC Buys 3,100 Shares of Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR)

Summit Securities Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR) by 96.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,300 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,100 shares during the quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC’s holdings in Whirlpool were worth $721,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Whirlpool in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $73,468,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Whirlpool in the fourth quarter worth $34,719,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Whirlpool by 54.0% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 636,937 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,917,000 after buying an additional 223,232 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Whirlpool by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,118,013 shares of the company’s stock valued at $242,470,000 after buying an additional 98,444 shares during the period. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 648.2% during the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 112,141 shares of the company’s stock worth $11,999,000 after acquiring an additional 97,152 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.78% of the company’s stock.

Whirlpool Stock Performance

NYSE:WHR opened at $89.58 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.96 billion, a P/E ratio of -15.29 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Whirlpool Co. has a 1 year low of $84.18 and a 1 year high of $135.49. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $103.65 and a 200-day moving average of $108.05.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The company reported $4.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.31. Whirlpool had a positive return on equity of 21.89% and a negative net margin of 1.95%. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.85 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Whirlpool Co. will post 9.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Whirlpool Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a $1.75 dividend. This represents a $7.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.81%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. Whirlpool’s dividend payout ratio is presently -119.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $125.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. StockNews.com raised Whirlpool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $106.00.

About Whirlpool

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.