Natixis Acquires New Position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Natixis bought a new stake in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,853 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $530,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. West Oak Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 455.6% in the 4th quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter worth $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Knuff & Co LLC grew its stake in Rockwell Automation by 41.0% during the 4th quarter. Knuff & Co LLC now owns 141 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.75% of the company's stock.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

NYSE ROK traded down $0.29 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $248.25. 511,449 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 870,139. The company has a market capitalization of $28.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.92, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.08. The business's 50 day moving average is $257.14 and its 200-day moving average is $274.40. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 1 year low of $215.00 and a 1 year high of $308.70.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.17%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.11%. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio is currently 65.26%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on ROK shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Rockwell Automation from $315.00 to $337.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $305.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $280.00 to $260.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, Loop Capital upped their target price on Rockwell Automation from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $297.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Rockwell Automation news, VP Isaac Woods sold 876 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.03, for a total transaction of $248,810.28. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 1,057 shares in the company, valued at approximately $300,219.71. The trade was a 45.32 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 293 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $257.68, for a total value of $75,500.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 1,922 shares in the company, valued at approximately $495,260.96. This trade represents a 13.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 3,750 shares of company stock valued at $1,075,923. 0.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Rockwell Automation Company 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.