Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. Grows Position in Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS)

Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. boosted its stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) by 44.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,910 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after acquiring an additional 585 shares during the period. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A.’s holdings in Axcelis Technologies were worth $133,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 78,037.4% during the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 782,155 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $54,649,000 after purchasing an additional 781,154 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Axcelis Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,050,000. Reinhart Partners LLC. increased its stake in Axcelis Technologies by 50.7% in the 4th quarter. Reinhart Partners LLC. now owns 1,036,112 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $72,393,000 after acquiring an additional 348,504 shares during the last quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp raised its holdings in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 61.9% during the 4th quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 820,116 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $57,302,000 after acquiring an additional 313,689 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 37.8% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,060,096 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $74,069,000 after acquiring an additional 290,678 shares during the last quarter. 89.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Axcelis Technologies Price Performance

Axcelis Technologies stock opened at $50.96 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.64 billion, a PE ratio of 8.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.62. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $47.23 and a 12-month high of $158.61. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $60.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $75.24. The company has a current ratio of 5.41, a quick ratio of 4.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The semiconductor company reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.29. Axcelis Technologies had a return on equity of 21.02% and a net margin of 19.75%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Axcelis Technologies, Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Axcelis Technologies announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Wednesday, March 12th that authorizes the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the semiconductor company to purchase up to 5.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACLS has been the topic of several research reports. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Craig Hallum decreased their target price on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, William Blair lowered Axcelis Technologies from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $154.00.

Axcelis Technologies Profile

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.