Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC) Shares Sold by Geode Capital Management LLC

Geode Capital Management LLC reduced its position in Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC - Free Report) by 1.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,092,832 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,136 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 1.66% of Brunswick worth $70,706,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in Brunswick in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Financial Perspectives Inc purchased a new position in Brunswick in the 4th quarter valued at about $42,000. KBC Group NV grew its stake in Brunswick by 42.8% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,892 shares of the company's stock valued at $187,000 after purchasing an additional 867 shares in the last quarter. Stevens Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Brunswick in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Finally, Summit Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Brunswick during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $262,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.34% of the company's stock.

Brunswick Stock Performance

Shares of Brunswick stock traded up $0.41 during trading on Thursday, hitting $43.75. 205,249 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 752,010. The stock has a market cap of $2.88 billion, a PE ratio of 23.08 and a beta of 1.42. The stock's fifty day moving average is $56.08 and its 200 day moving average is $68.41. Brunswick Co. has a 12 month low of $41.00 and a 12 month high of $87.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 1.65.

Brunswick (NYSE:BC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.06. Brunswick had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 15.41%. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.45 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Brunswick Co. will post 4.19 EPS for the current year.

Brunswick Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were paid a $0.43 dividend. This is a boost from Brunswick's previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.93%. Brunswick's dividend payout ratio is presently 90.53%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Randall S. Altman sold 3,417 shares of Brunswick stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.21, for a total transaction of $215,988.57. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,683 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,686,632.43. This trade represents a 11.35 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Nancy E. Cooper sold 433 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.65, for a total value of $28,426.45. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 25,361 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,664,949.65. This trade represents a 1.68 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on BC shares. Roth Mkm cut their price target on shares of Brunswick from $91.00 to $85.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 24th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $56.00 price target (down previously from $90.00) on shares of Brunswick in a research report on Friday, April 4th. Benchmark lowered their price objective on Brunswick from $100.00 to $90.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup reduced their target price on Brunswick from $92.00 to $85.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, B. Riley upgraded Brunswick to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $76.67.

Brunswick Profile

Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Propulsion, Engine P&A, Navico Group, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, inboard engines, propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers for boat builders through marine retail dealers under the Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, Mariner, Mercury Racing, Mercury Diesel, Avator, and Fliteboard brands.