B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG Trims Stock Position in Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE)

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG lessened its stake in shares of Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE - Free Report) by 42.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,284 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 9,037 shares during the quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG's holdings in Benchmark Electronics were worth $558,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Benchmark Electronics by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,897,568 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $84,081,000 after purchasing an additional 11,738 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 16.9% during the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,153,257 shares of the technology company's stock worth $52,358,000 after acquiring an additional 166,967 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 841,602 shares of the technology company's stock worth $37,307,000 after acquiring an additional 21,355 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Benchmark Electronics by 45.2% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 815,499 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $37,024,000 after purchasing an additional 253,730 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in Benchmark Electronics by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 436,181 shares of the technology company's stock worth $19,803,000 after purchasing an additional 8,000 shares in the last quarter. 92.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Jeff Benck sold 6,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.31, for a total value of $271,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 418,173 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,947,418.63. This trade represents a 1.41 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Benchmark Electronics Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BHE traded down $1.58 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $34.83. The company had a trading volume of 38,662 shares, compared to its average volume of 329,505. The stock has a market cap of $1.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.19 and a beta of 0.83. The company's 50 day moving average price is $39.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $43.86. The company has a current ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. Benchmark Electronics, Inc. has a 52-week low of $28.64 and a 52-week high of $52.57.

Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.95%. Benchmark Electronics's payout ratio is presently 39.31%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Benchmark Electronics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on shares of 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 given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $43.00.

About Benchmark Electronics

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.