Chemed Co. (NYSE:CHE) Shares Sold by Leavell Investment Management Inc.

Leavell Investment Management Inc. reduced its position in Chemed Co. (NYSE:CHE - Free Report) by 20.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,000 shares of the company's stock after selling 500 shares during the period. Leavell Investment Management Inc.'s holdings in Chemed were worth $1,060,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. CWM LLC grew its holdings in Chemed by 22.2% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 485 shares of the company's stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its stake in Chemed by 28.9% during the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 1,537 shares of the company's stock valued at $924,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning increased its holdings in Chemed by 57.3% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 1,932 shares of the company's stock worth $1,161,000 after purchasing an additional 704 shares during the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. raised its position in shares of Chemed by 21.6% in the 3rd quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 671 shares of the company's stock valued at $403,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chemed by 16.7% during the 3rd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 700 shares of the company's stock valued at $421,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.85% of the company's stock.

Chemed Price Performance

CHE traded down $7.51 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $553.10. 41,026 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 94,463. The stock has a market cap of $8.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $542.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $564.40. Chemed Co. has a 12 month low of $512.12 and a 12 month high of $654.62.

Chemed Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.36%. Chemed's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.11%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on CHE shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Chemed from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, November 30th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Chemed from $697.00 to $633.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th.

Insider Activity at Chemed

In related news, CEO Kevin J. Mcnamara sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $572.77, for a total value of $1,145,540.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 101,735 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $58,270,755.95. This trade represents a 1.93 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Brian C. Judkins acquired 145 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of $519.50 per share, with a total value of $75,327.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the vice president now owns 1,678 shares in the company, valued at $871,721. The trade was a 9.46 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 3.32% of the company's stock.

Chemed Profile

Chemed Corporation provides hospice and palliative care services to patients through a network of physicians, registered nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy, and volunteers primarily in the United States. The company operates in VITAS and Roto-Rooter segments. It offers plumbing, drain cleaning, excavation, water restoration, and other related services to residential and commercial customers through company-owned branches, independent contractors, and franchisees.