Entropy Technologies LP Grows Stock Position in Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN)

Entropy Technologies LP increased its position in shares of Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN - Free Report) by 265.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,857 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,801 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP's holdings in Morningstar were worth $1,231,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Morningstar by 21.9% in the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 245 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Morningstar by 1.6% during the second quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 3,025 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $895,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Morningstar by 38.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 183 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Morningstar by 7.3% in the second quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 754 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $223,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the period. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Morningstar by 38.0% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 196 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. 57.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Morningstar Trading Up 0.1 %

NASDAQ MORN traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $345.75. 25,547 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 118,116. The firm has a market cap of $14.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.64 and a beta of 1.18. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $328.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $310.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Morningstar, Inc. has a 1-year low of $264.79 and a 1-year high of $352.55.

Morningstar (NASDAQ:MORN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 23rd. The business services provider reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.01 by ($0.01). Morningstar had a net margin of 14.69% and a return on equity of 23.28%. The company had revenue of $569.40 million during the quarter.

Morningstar Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 4th were paid a $0.405 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 4th. This represents a $1.62 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.47%. Morningstar's payout ratio is 21.40%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Joseph D. Mansueto sold 7,222 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $349.67, for a total transaction of $2,525,316.74. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 10,801,361 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,776,911,900.87. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Chairman Joseph D. Mansueto sold 7,222 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $349.67, for a total value of $2,525,316.74. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 10,801,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,776,911,900.87. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Joseph D. Mansueto sold 3,838 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.90, for a total transaction of $1,212,424.20. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 10,581,130 shares in the company, valued at $3,342,578,967. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 67,370 shares of company stock valued at $21,909,493 in the last 90 days. 39.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $352.00 target price on shares of Morningstar in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. StockNews.com cut Morningstar from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Morningstar in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. They set a "buy" rating and a $390.00 target price for the company. Finally, Redburn Atlantic downgraded shares of Morningstar from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $340.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Morningstar has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $360.67.

Morningstar Profile

Morningstar, Inc provides independent investment insights in the United States, Asia. Australia, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in five segments: Morningstar Data and Analytics; PitchBook; Morningstar Wealth; Morningstar Credit; and Morningstar Retirement.