McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) Stake Raised by E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB

E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB lifted its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC - Free Report) by 23.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 414,940 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 80,163 shares during the quarter. E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB owned 0.15% of McCormick & Company, Incorporated worth $31,635,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Wallington Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Wallington Asset Management LLC now owns 4,136 shares of the company's stock worth $340,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC now owns 12,536 shares of the company's stock worth $954,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel grew its stake in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2.1% in the third quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel now owns 8,443 shares of the company's stock worth $695,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 0.9% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 20,134 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,657,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 0.9% in the third quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 19,482 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,603,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.74% of the company's stock.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Stock Performance

Shares of MKC traded up $1.12 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $78.43. 934,290 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,996,618. The business's 50 day moving average price is $76.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.03 billion, a PE ratio of 26.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.74. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 1-year low of $64.33 and a 1-year high of $85.49.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.03. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a net margin of 11.73% and a return on equity of 14.89%. Equities research analysts predict that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 3.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 30th. This is an increase from McCormick & Company, Incorporated's previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.30%. McCormick & Company, Incorporated's payout ratio is currently 61.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MKC has been the subject of several research reports. TD Cowen upgraded McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $86.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $85.00 to $91.00 in a report on Monday, December 9th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $83.75.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other McCormick & Company, Incorporated news, Director Jacques Tapiero sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.34, for a total transaction of $386,700.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 28,217 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,182,302.78. This trade represents a 15.05 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 22.90% of the company's stock.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Company Profile

McCormick & Co, Inc engages in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. It operates through the Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments. The Consumer segment sells spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces.