Franklin Resources Inc. Has $162.17 Million Stake in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Franklin Resources Inc. lowered its stake in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 4.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 567,447 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 25,721 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned 0.50% of Rockwell Automation worth $162,171,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of ROK. Townsquare Capital LLC raised its stake in Rockwell Automation by 13.2% during the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 2,104 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $565,000 after buying an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 14.0% in the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 4,897 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,315,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC increased its stake in Rockwell Automation by 7.2% during the third quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 3,520 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $945,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Centiva Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the third quarter worth $1,186,000. Finally, Investment Management Corp of Ontario lifted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 50.9% in the 3rd quarter. Investment Management Corp of Ontario now owns 3,854 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,035,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised Rockwell Automation from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $290.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Rockwell Automation from $305.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $345.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $257.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $307.42.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Isaac Woods sold 895 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.72, for a total value of $245,874.40. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,198 shares in the company, valued at approximately $329,114.56. This represents a 42.76 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Scott Genereux sold 500 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.14, for a total transaction of $145,070.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,905 shares of the company's stock, valued at $552,716.70. This trade represents a 20.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,352 shares of company stock worth $1,246,298. Corporate insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

Rockwell Automation Stock Down 5.0 %

NYSE ROK traded down $11.91 during trading on Friday, reaching $227.25. 1,585,217 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 852,958. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $218.78 and a fifty-two week high of $308.70. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $274.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $278.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.70 billion, a PE ratio of 28.30, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.39.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.17%. Sell-side analysts predict that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 EPS for the current year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.26%.

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.