Van ECK Associates Corp Raises Stock Holdings in Exelon Co. (NASDAQ:EXC)

Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in shares of Exelon Co. (NASDAQ:EXC - Free Report) by 8.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 313,499 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 24,565 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp's holdings in Exelon were worth $11,800,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in Exelon by 39.0% during the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 577,277 shares of the company's stock valued at $21,740,000 after buying an additional 162,007 shares during the period. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new position in Exelon during the fourth quarter worth about $241,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its position in Exelon by 27.0% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 4,599 shares of the company's stock worth $173,000 after purchasing an additional 979 shares during the period. Wealthcare Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Exelon during the fourth quarter worth about $588,000. Finally, Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Exelon during the fourth quarter worth about $40,000. 80.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Colette D. Honorable sold 1,463 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.57, for a total transaction of $59,353.91. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 2,271 shares in the company, valued at approximately $92,134.47. The trade was a 39.18 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Exelon Trading Down 0.1 %

NASDAQ:EXC traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $42.65. The company had a trading volume of 7,595,917 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,884,149. The company has a market capitalization of $42.87 billion, a PE ratio of 17.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.56. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $39.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $39.00. Exelon Co. has a 52 week low of $34.01 and a 52 week high of $43.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.78.

Exelon (NASDAQ:EXC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.05. Exelon had a net margin of 10.68% and a return on equity of 9.52%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Exelon Co. will post 2.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Exelon Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.75%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. This is a boost from Exelon's previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. Exelon's payout ratio is 62.04%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Exelon from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Guggenheim raised shares of Exelon from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Evercore ISI raised shares of Exelon from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $43.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Exelon from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Exelon from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $43.38.

Exelon Profile

Exelon Corporation, a utility services holding company, engages in the energy distribution and transmission businesses in the United States and Canada. The company is involved in the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and natural gas, transmission and distribution of electricity, and distribution of natural gas to retail customers.