Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Shares Acquired by FIL Ltd

FIL Ltd boosted its holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) by 20.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 265,307 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 45,862 shares during the quarter. FIL Ltd owned 0.23% of Rockwell Automation worth $75,822,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. West Oak Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Rockwell Automation by 455.6% during the fourth quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new position in Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Knuff & Co LLC increased its stake in shares of Rockwell Automation by 41.0% during the fourth quarter. Knuff & Co LLC now owns 141 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.75% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Isaac Woods sold 895 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.72, for a total transaction of $245,874.40. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,198 shares in the company, valued at approximately $329,114.56. This trade represents a 42.76 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 293 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $257.68, for a total transaction of $75,500.24. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,922 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $495,260.96. The trade was a 13.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 4,645 shares of company stock worth $1,321,798 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.68% of the company’s stock.

Rockwell Automation Stock Up 10.6 %

NYSE:ROK opened at $242.26 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $269.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $277.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $27.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.17, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 1-year low of $215.00 and a 1-year high of $308.70.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 30.17% and a net margin of 11.38%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a dividend of $1.31 per share. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. Rockwell Automation’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.26%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on ROK shares. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Rockwell Automation from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Rockwell Automation from $305.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $345.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $248.00 to $201.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $315.00 to $337.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $301.68.

Rockwell Automation Profile

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.