Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) Shares Sold by WASHINGTON TRUST Co

WASHINGTON TRUST Co decreased its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR - Free Report) by 2.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 59,880 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 1,330 shares during the quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co owned approximately 0.05% of Broadridge Financial Solutions worth $13,538,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BR. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $44,746,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 3,197.8% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 204,366 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $43,945,000 after purchasing an additional 198,169 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2,302.8% during the third quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 147,004 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $31,618,000 after buying an additional 140,886 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions during the third quarter valued at $274,650,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 97.7% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 198,878 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $42,765,000 after buying an additional 98,275 shares during the period. 90.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Broadridge Financial Solutions

In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, VP Thomas P. Carey sold 15,710 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.32, for a total value of $3,618,327.20. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 12,146 shares in the company, valued at $2,797,466.72. This represents a 56.40 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Laura Matlin sold 514 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $241.60, for a total value of $124,182.40. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 6,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,595,043.20. This represents a 7.22 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 21,666 shares of company stock worth $5,050,766. Insiders own 1.30% of the company's stock.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BR traded down $0.34 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $238.82. The stock had a trading volume of 595,494 shares, compared to its average volume of 465,675. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $232.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $223.09. The company has a market capitalization of $27.95 billion, a PE ratio of 37.37 and a beta of 1.08. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 1 year low of $188.30 and a 1 year high of $244.47.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The business services provider reported $1.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.24. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 44.40% and a net margin of 11.36%. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.92 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.88 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.47%. Broadridge Financial Solutions's dividend payout ratio is presently 55.09%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently issued reports on BR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $231.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Wolfe Research reiterated a "peer perform" rating on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $246.00 to $259.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. DA Davidson reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $215.00 target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $239.17.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Profile

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.