Exponent (NASDAQ:EXPO) Shares Gap Up on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO - Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Friday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $89.82, but opened at $95.00. Exponent shares last traded at $88.29, with a volume of 145,610 shares traded.

The business services provider reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.06. Exponent had a return on equity of 27.76% and a net margin of 19.52%. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.41 EPS.

Exponent Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Investors of record on Friday, March 7th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 7th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.32%. This is an increase from Exponent's previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. Exponent's payout ratio is currently 52.83%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Paul R. Johnston sold 1,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.03, for a total value of $123,539.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 59,406 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,645,352.18. This represents a 2.14 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Exponent

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Exponent by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,531 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $226,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Heritage Family Offices LLP grew its holdings in Exponent by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP now owns 3,123 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $278,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Exponent by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 14,723 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,312,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its position in shares of Exponent by 129.8% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 278 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Exponent by 2.4% during the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 7,574 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $675,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. 92.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Exponent Stock Performance

The firm's 50-day moving average is $91.82 and its 200 day moving average is $100.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.61 billion, a PE ratio of 42.82 and a beta of 0.71.

Exponent Company Profile

Exponent, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a science and engineering consulting company in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Engineering and Other Scientific, and Environmental and Health. The Engineering and Other Scientific segment provides services in the areas of biomechanics, biomedical engineering and sciences, buildings and structures, civil engineering, construction consulting, data sciences, electrical engineering and computer science, human factors, materials and corrosion engineering, mechanical engineering, polymer science and materials chemistry, thermal sciences, and vehicle engineering.