Barclays PLC Buys 28,039 Shares of WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC)

Barclays PLC boosted its stake in WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC - Free Report) by 309.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 37,094 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 28,039 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned about 0.27% of WD-40 worth $9,566,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in WD-40 in the third quarter worth $29,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in WD-40 by 41.3% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 226 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new position in shares of WD-40 in the 2nd quarter worth about $67,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of WD-40 by 34.9% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 325 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale raised its holdings in shares of WD-40 by 240.9% during the 2nd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 467 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.52% of the company's stock.

WD-40 Trading Down 2.0 %

Shares of WDFC traded down $5.32 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $259.08. 77,991 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 104,252. WD-40 has a 12 month low of $211.03 and a 12 month high of $292.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.70, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company's fifty day moving average price is $270.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $254.03. The company has a market capitalization of $3.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.70 and a beta of -0.07.

WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $156.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $149.20 million. WD-40 had a return on equity of 31.53% and a net margin of 11.79%. WD-40's revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.21 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that WD-40 will post 5.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WD-40 Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Friday, January 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 17th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.45%. This is a positive change from WD-40's previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. WD-40's payout ratio is presently 73.58%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director William B. Noble sold 800 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.98, for a total value of $205,584.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,999 shares in the company, valued at $2,312,563.02. The trade was a 8.16 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.75% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of WD-40 from $250.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. DA Davidson restated a "buy" rating and set a $322.00 price target on shares of WD-40 in a report on Monday, November 18th.

WD-40 Profile

WD-40 Company develops and sells maintenance products, and homecare and cleaning products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides multi-purpose maintenance products that include aerosol sprays, non-aerosol trigger sprays, precision pens, and in liquid-bulk form products under the WD-40 Multi-Use brand name; specialty maintenance products, such as penetrants, degreasers, corrosion inhibitors, greases, lubricants, and rust removers under the WD-40 Specialist brand; and bike-specific products.