Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seventeen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $45.12.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Baker Hughes from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Baker Hughes from $41.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Baker Hughes from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Baker Hughes from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, November 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Baker Hughes from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd.

Baker Hughes Stock Performance

Shares of BKR stock traded down $0.13 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $42.33. 5,719,110 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,144,938. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.98, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.40. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $40.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.56. Baker Hughes has a 52-week low of $28.32 and a 52-week high of $45.17.

Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.06. Baker Hughes had a return on equity of 13.77% and a net margin of 8.20%. The firm had revenue of $6.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.42 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Baker Hughes will post 2.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Baker Hughes Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 14th. Investors of record on Monday, November 4th were issued a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 4th. Baker Hughes's dividend payout ratio is currently 37.67%.

Institutional Trading of Baker Hughes

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Baker Hughes in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in shares of Baker Hughes by 2,181.6% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 867 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 829 shares during the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment increased its stake in shares of Baker Hughes by 1,045.1% in the third quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 889,378 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 811,711 shares during the period. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Baker Hughes by 442.2% during the 3rd quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 976 shares of the company's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 796 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alta Advisers Ltd purchased a new stake in Baker Hughes during the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. 92.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Baker Hughes Company Profile

Baker Hughes Company provides a portfolio of technologies and services to energy and industrial value chain worldwide. The company operates through Oilfield Services & Equipment (OFSE) and Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) segments. The OFSE segment designs and manufactures products and provides related services, including exploration, appraisal, development, production, rejuvenation, and decommissioning for onshore and offshore oilfield operations.