BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. Buys 55,048 Shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS)

BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. boosted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS - Free Report) by 12.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 510,894 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after acquiring an additional 55,048 shares during the period. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. owned 1.57% of Axcelis Technologies worth $53,568,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ACLS. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System grew its position in Axcelis Technologies by 15.4% in the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 10,740 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $1,198,000 after purchasing an additional 1,430 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Axcelis Technologies by 6.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,304,516 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $480,040,000 after acquiring an additional 263,604 shares during the period. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd acquired a new position in Axcelis Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $719,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 17.5% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 670 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $75,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Gabelli Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 20.0% during the first quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 2,400 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $268,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. 89.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Axcelis Technologies Price Performance

NASDAQ:ACLS traded up $1.79 on Friday, reaching $75.07. The stock had a trading volume of 546,645 shares, compared to its average volume of 639,091. The company has a market capitalization of $2.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 1.60. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $92.56 and a 200-day moving average price of $111.47. The company has a quick ratio of 3.29, a current ratio of 4.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $69.35 and a 1-year high of $158.61.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on ACLS shares. B. Riley decreased their price target on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $190.00 to $165.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Benchmark cut shares of Axcelis Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $167.33.

Axcelis Technologies Company Profile

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.