KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Acquires New Shares in Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEIS)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEIS - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 7,400 shares of the electronics maker's stock, valued at approximately $856,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Xponance Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Advanced Energy Industries by 10.3% during the 4th quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 2,687 shares of the electronics maker's stock valued at $311,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its position in Advanced Energy Industries by 83.8% in the fourth quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 12,550 shares of the electronics maker's stock valued at $1,451,000 after purchasing an additional 5,723 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Advanced Energy Industries by 37.8% during the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,388 shares of the electronics maker's stock valued at $160,000 after purchasing an additional 381 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp bought a new stake in shares of Advanced Energy Industries during the fourth quarter worth about $405,000. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Advanced Energy Industries by 21.2% during the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 26,638 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $3,080,000 after purchasing an additional 4,666 shares during the last quarter. 99.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Lanesha Minnix sold 1,600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.37, for a total value of $206,992.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,492 shares in the company, valued at $451,760.04. This represents a 31.42 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, COO Eduardo Bernal Acebedo sold 19,309 shares of Advanced Energy Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.61, for a total value of $2,155,077.49. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 19,822 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,212,333.42. The trade was a 49.34 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on AEIS. Citigroup upgraded shares of Advanced Energy Industries from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $110.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Advanced Energy Industries from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Advanced Energy Industries from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $145.00 target price on shares of Advanced Energy Industries in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Advanced Energy Industries from $138.00 to $136.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Advanced Energy Industries has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $126.56.

Advanced Energy Industries Trading Down 5.8 %

NASDAQ AEIS traded down $4.84 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $79.03. 835,972 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 239,717. The firm has a market cap of $2.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.27, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.47. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $110.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $112.12. The company has a current ratio of 4.42, a quick ratio of 3.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. has a 1-year low of $75.10 and a 1-year high of $132.16.

Advanced Energy Industries (NASDAQ:AEIS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The electronics maker reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.09 by ($0.03). Advanced Energy Industries had a return on equity of 8.90% and a net margin of 3.66%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. will post 3.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Advanced Energy Industries Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.51%. Advanced Energy Industries's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.97%.

Advanced Energy Industries Company Profile

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc provides precision power conversion, measurement, and control solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's plasma power products offer solutions to enable innovation for semiconductor and thin film plasma processes, such as dry etch and deposition.