Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC Invests $2.21 Million in Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE)

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC bought a new position in Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 48,621 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $2,207,000. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.14% of Benchmark Electronics at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in Benchmark Electronics by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 6,535 shares of the technology company's stock worth $290,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 12.9% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,547 shares of the technology company's stock worth $116,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP now owns 6,162 shares of the technology company's stock worth $280,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the period. Highland Capital Management LLC grew its position in Benchmark Electronics by 6.4% during the fourth quarter. Highland Capital Management LLC now owns 5,620 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $255,000 after purchasing an additional 337 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV increased its stake in Benchmark Electronics by 40.2% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,151 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $98,000 after buying an additional 617 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.29% of the company's stock.

Benchmark Electronics Stock Down 0.2 %

NYSE BHE traded down $0.09 during trading on Thursday, reaching $39.75. The company's stock had a trading volume of 298,545 shares, compared to its average volume of 296,191. The company has a current ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 22.98 and a beta of 0.97. Benchmark Electronics, Inc. has a 1-year low of $28.64 and a 1-year high of $52.57. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $41.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $44.39.

Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.01). Benchmark Electronics had a net margin of 2.38% and a return on equity of 6.68%.

Benchmark Electronics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 11th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.71%. Benchmark Electronics's payout ratio is 39.31%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on BHE. StockNews.com raised shares of Benchmark Electronics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Needham & Company LLC increased their price objective on Benchmark Electronics from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $43.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Benchmark Electronics

In other Benchmark Electronics news, CEO Jeff Benck sold 6,000 shares of Benchmark Electronics stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.82, for a total transaction of $232,920.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 448,180 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $17,398,347.60. The trade was a 1.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Benchmark Electronics Company Profile

Benchmark Electronics, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers product design, engineering services, technology solutions, and manufacturing services in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The company provides engineering services and technology solutions, including new product design, prototype, testing, and related engineering services; and custom testing and technology solutions, as well as automation equipment design and build services.