Brokerages Set Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) Price Target at $154.00

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS - Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of "Hold" from the seven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $131.00.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ACLS. B. Riley restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $50.00 price objective (down previously from $80.00) on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a report on Monday. William Blair lowered Axcelis Technologies from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Craig Hallum decreased their target price on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Axcelis Technologies

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ACLS. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 90.6% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 364 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in Axcelis Technologies by 118.7% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 584 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 317 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 160.5% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 581 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Axcelis Technologies by 1,153.8% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 489 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC boosted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 1,415.2% in the fourth quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 500 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 467 shares during the period. 89.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Axcelis Technologies Stock Up 7.6 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ACLS traded up $3.49 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $49.43. 62,702 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 634,585. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $53.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.97. Axcelis Technologies has a one year low of $40.40 and a one year high of $158.61. The company has a market cap of $1.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.04, a P/E/G ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a quick ratio of 4.05, a current ratio of 5.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The semiconductor company reported $1.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.29. Axcelis Technologies had a net margin of 19.75% and a return on equity of 21.02%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Axcelis Technologies will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Axcelis Technologies announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, March 12th that allows the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the semiconductor company to buy up to 5.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About Axcelis Technologies

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.