Merit Financial Group LLC Makes New Investment in Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE)

Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 2,317 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $391,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of GWRE. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its position in Guidewire Software by 24.7% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,426,907 shares of the technology company's stock worth $626,918,000 after purchasing an additional 679,558 shares in the last quarter. Linonia Partnership LP grew its stake in shares of Guidewire Software by 8.4% during the second quarter. Linonia Partnership LP now owns 2,395,601 shares of the technology company's stock worth $330,329,000 after buying an additional 185,077 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Guidewire Software by 0.5% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,330,074 shares of the technology company's stock worth $243,580,000 after buying an additional 6,223 shares in the last quarter. Whale Rock Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Guidewire Software by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Whale Rock Capital Management LLC now owns 972,743 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $177,954,000 after acquiring an additional 31,512 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Guidewire Software by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 764,400 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $139,839,000 after acquiring an additional 53,967 shares in the last quarter.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Guidewire Software from $215.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Guidewire Software in a report on Thursday. They issued a "buy" rating and a $210.00 price objective for the company. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Guidewire Software in a report on Friday, December 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Guidewire Software from $210.00 to $228.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Finally, JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and set a $231.00 price objective on shares of Guidewire Software in a research report on Friday, December 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $196.08.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, President John P. Mullen sold 700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.00, for a total value of $147,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 177,746 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,326,660. The trade was a 0.39 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider James Winston King sold 270 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.78, for a total value of $47,190.60. Following the sale, the insider now owns 45,664 shares in the company, valued at $7,981,153.92. The trade was a 0.59 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 30,306 shares of company stock valued at $5,288,309. Corporate insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Guidewire Software Stock Performance

Guidewire Software stock traded up $0.74 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $205.34. The stock had a trading volume of 13,926,135 shares, compared to its average volume of 655,575. The company has a quick ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 2.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.15 billion, a PE ratio of 570.40, a P/E/G ratio of 47.71 and a beta of 1.23. Guidewire Software, Inc. has a 12 month low of $107.00 and a 12 month high of $212.00. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $182.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $171.75.

About Guidewire Software

Guidewire Software, Inc provides a platform for property and casualty (P&C) insurers worldwide. The company offers Guidewire InsuranceSuite Cloud, such as PolicyCenter Cloud, BillingCenter Cloud, and ClaimCenter Cloud applications. It also provides Guidewire InsuranceNow, a cloud-based platform that offers policy, billing, and claims management functionality to insurers; and Guidewire InsuranceSuite for Self-Managed.