BMO Capital Markets Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX) Stock

Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX - Free Report) had its price objective boosted by BMO Capital Markets from $105.00 to $108.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a market perform rating on the building manufacturing company's stock.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on LPX. StockNews.com lowered Louisiana-Pacific from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, November 10th. TD Securities increased their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $115.00 to $123.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $90.00 to $99.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $119.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, DA Davidson increased their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $108.00.

Louisiana-Pacific Price Performance

NYSE LPX traded down $2.11 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $98.78. 995,005 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 671,279. The stock has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a PE ratio of 16.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.95. Louisiana-Pacific has a one year low of $67.47 and a one year high of $122.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $110.24 and a 200-day moving average of $106.49. The company has a current ratio of 2.86, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21.

Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The building manufacturing company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $681.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $666.75 million. Louisiana-Pacific had a return on equity of 25.35% and a net margin of 14.31%. Louisiana-Pacific's revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.71 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Louisiana-Pacific will post 5.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Louisiana-Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a $0.28 dividend. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.13%. This is an increase from Louisiana-Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. Louisiana-Pacific's payout ratio is presently 17.69%.

Insider Activity

In other Louisiana-Pacific news, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.50, for a total transaction of $283,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 18,513 shares in the company, valued at $2,101,225.50. The trade was a 11.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its position in Louisiana-Pacific by 36.7% during the third quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 21,045 shares of the building manufacturing company's stock valued at $2,261,000 after purchasing an additional 5,645 shares in the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its position in Louisiana-Pacific by 269.7% during the fourth quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 41,698 shares of the building manufacturing company's stock valued at $4,318,000 after purchasing an additional 30,418 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in Louisiana-Pacific by 238.1% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 19,881 shares of the building manufacturing company's stock valued at $2,136,000 after purchasing an additional 14,001 shares in the last quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. acquired a new position in Louisiana-Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $259,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management raised its position in Louisiana-Pacific by 65.0% during the fourth quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 7,381 shares of the building manufacturing company's stock valued at $764,000 after purchasing an additional 2,907 shares in the last quarter. 94.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Louisiana-Pacific

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides building solutions primarily for use in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structure markets. It operates through Siding, Oriented Strand Board, LP South America, and Other segments. The Siding segment offers LP SmartSide trim and siding products, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding products, LP BuilderSeries lap siding products, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions; and engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia products.