Franklin Resources Inc. Trims Stake in Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS)

Franklin Resources Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS - Free Report) by 84.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 22,516 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after selling 119,406 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of Axcelis Technologies worth $2,366,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ACLS. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in Axcelis Technologies by 348.9% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 211 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Isthmus Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 87.3% in the second quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 33,270 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 15,507 shares in the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Axcelis Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new position in Axcelis Technologies during the third quarter valued at $69,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.98% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on ACLS shares. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a report on Friday, November 8th. Benchmark lowered Axcelis Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $167.33.

Axcelis Technologies Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of ACLS stock traded down $0.81 on Friday, reaching $71.24. 360,472 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 634,229. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $68.23 and a 52 week high of $158.61. The company has a current ratio of 4.45, a quick ratio of 3.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.32 billion, a PE ratio of 10.54, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.53. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $78.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $104.11.

About Axcelis Technologies

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.