Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN) Position Boosted by Americana Partners LLC

Americana Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN - Free Report) by 447.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 145,912 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 119,240 shares during the period. Eaton accounts for approximately 2.0% of Americana Partners LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Americana Partners LLC's holdings in Eaton were worth $48,424,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN increased its stake in Eaton by 321.7% during the 4th quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN now owns 97 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the period. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new position in Eaton during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Activest Wealth Management increased its stake in Eaton by 621.4% during the 4th quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 101 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the period. DT Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in Eaton during the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Hager Investment Management Services LLC bought a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors own 82.97% of the company's stock.

Eaton Trading Down 0.2 %

ETN traded down $0.48 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $308.95. 1,982,892 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,330,502. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 1.05. Eaton Co. plc has a 1-year low of $255.65 and a 1-year high of $379.99. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $334.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $332.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

Eaton (NYSE:ETN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.82 by $0.01. Eaton had a return on equity of 22.62% and a net margin of 15.25%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.55 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Eaton Co. plc will post 12.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on Eaton in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $382.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup decreased their price target on Eaton from $440.00 to $410.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on Eaton from $382.00 to $326.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Barclays lifted their price target on Eaton from $320.00 to $353.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Eaton from $407.00 to $405.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $366.05.

Insider Transactions at Eaton

In related news, insider Ernest W. Marshall, Jr. sold 1,412 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $378.58, for a total value of $534,554.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 31,200 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,811,696. The trade was a 4.33 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Gregory R. Page sold 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.98, for a total value of $3,559,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 43,203 shares of the company's stock, valued at $15,379,403.94. The trade was a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.53% of the company's stock.

Eaton Profile

Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The company's Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems.