Deluxe (NYSE:DLX) Downgraded to "Buy" Rating by StockNews.com

Deluxe (NYSE:DLX - Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note issued on Saturday.

Separately, Sidoti upgraded Deluxe to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th.

Deluxe Price Performance

Shares of DLX stock traded down $0.17 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $15.87. 331,102 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 254,625. The stock's 50-day moving average is $19.45 and its 200-day moving average is $20.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market cap of $709.79 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.46. Deluxe has a 52 week low of $15.13 and a 52 week high of $24.87.

Deluxe (NYSE:DLX - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The business services provider reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.80 by ($0.05). Deluxe had a return on equity of 21.33% and a net margin of 2.49%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Deluxe will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Barry C. Mccarthy bought 3,926 shares of Deluxe stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $16.45 per share, for a total transaction of $64,582.70. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 272,851 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,488,398.95. This represents a 1.46 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 4.23% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Deluxe

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new position in Deluxe during the fourth quarter worth about $2,565,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its position in shares of Deluxe by 99.5% during the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 52,040 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,176,000 after purchasing an additional 25,961 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in shares of Deluxe by 15.7% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 100,719 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $2,275,000 after purchasing an additional 13,683 shares during the period. Two Sigma Advisers LP raised its position in shares of Deluxe by 19.7% during the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 15,200 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $343,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares during the period. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Deluxe during the fourth quarter worth about $301,000. Institutional investors own 93.90% of the company's stock.

Deluxe Company Profile

Deluxe Corporation provides technology-enabled solutions to enterprises, small businesses, and financial institutions in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It operates through Merchant Services, B2B Payments, Data Solutions, and Print segments. The Merchant Services offers credit and debit card authorization and payment systems, as well as processing services primarily to small and medium-sized retail and service businesses.