MML Investors Services LLC Increases Stake in Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI)

MML Investors Services LLC grew its position in Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI - Free Report) by 57.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 135,161 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 49,378 shares during the quarter. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Johnson Controls International were worth $10,668,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of JCI. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Johnson Controls International by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 176,799 shares of the company's stock valued at $13,955,000 after acquiring an additional 3,111 shares during the last quarter. Ossiam purchased a new position in shares of Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $140,000. Norinchukin Bank The increased its position in shares of Johnson Controls International by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Norinchukin Bank The now owns 29,960 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,365,000 after purchasing an additional 2,490 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Inc. CA raised its holdings in Johnson Controls International by 20.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Inc. CA now owns 106,136 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,377,000 after buying an additional 18,213 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in Johnson Controls International by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,988,674 shares of the company's stock worth $472,705,000 after buying an additional 59,001 shares during the last quarter. 90.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on JCI shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Johnson Controls International from $92.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Johnson Controls International from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Citigroup decreased their price target on Johnson Controls International from $95.00 to $85.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Johnson Controls International from $86.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Melius cut shares of Johnson Controls International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $95.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Johnson Controls International presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $90.07.

Insider Activity at Johnson Controls International

In related news, VP Nathan D. Manning sold 1,421 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.44, for a total transaction of $108,621.24. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 148,346 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,339,568.24. This trade represents a 0.95 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO George Oliver sold 205,168 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.03, for a total value of $18,060,939.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,260,527 shares in the company, valued at approximately $110,964,191.81. This represents a 14.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 907,286 shares of company stock valued at $77,938,071 in the last three months. 0.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Johnson Controls International Stock Up 1.0 %

Johnson Controls International stock traded up $0.84 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $81.20. The stock had a trading volume of 2,920,556 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,452,663. The company has a market cap of $53.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.99, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.22. The business's 50 day moving average price is $80.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $80.86. Johnson Controls International plc has a 52 week low of $59.83 and a 52 week high of $91.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.86.

Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.05. Johnson Controls International had a net margin of 6.83% and a return on equity of 15.11%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Johnson Controls International plc will post 3.64 EPS for the current year.

Johnson Controls International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 24th were issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 24th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.82%. Johnson Controls International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.49%.

About Johnson Controls International

Johnson Controls International plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, and retrofitting building products and systems in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Building Solutions North America, Building Solutions EMEA/LA, Building Solutions Asia Pacific, and Global Products.