Entropy Technologies LP Invests $2.40 Million in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Entropy Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 8,947 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $2,402,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ROK. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 96 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. ESL Trust Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the first quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the second quarter valued at $36,000. 75.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ROK has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Rockwell Automation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Barclays increased their target price on Rockwell Automation from $245.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Rockwell Automation from $293.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Rockwell Automation from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $245.00 to $227.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $285.13.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

ROK stock traded up $8.82 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $286.70. 507,301 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 878,250. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $242.81 and a 52 week high of $312.76. The business has a 50-day moving average of $267.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $266.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.53 billion, a PE ratio of 34.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.36.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.40 by $0.07. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.53% and a return on equity of 30.42%. The business had revenue of $2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.06 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.64 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 20.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th will be paid a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.83%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 18th. This is a boost from Rockwell Automation's previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.39%.

Rockwell Automation announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, September 5th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the industrial products company to reacquire up to 3.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Rockwell Automation

In other Rockwell Automation news, SVP Veena M. Lakkundi sold 579 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $266.86, for a total transaction of $154,511.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,576 shares in the company, valued at $1,221,151.36. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.