Nasdaq (NASDAQ:NDAQ) Sets New 1-Year High - Here's What Happened

Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $84.15 and last traded at $83.68, with a volume of 262137 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $82.86.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NDAQ has been the topic of several research reports. William Blair started coverage on shares of Nasdaq in a research report on Monday, November 25th. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. Barclays lowered their price target on Nasdaq from $96.00 to $95.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Nasdaq from $88.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Nasdaq from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $80.00 to $98.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Nasdaq from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $86.88.

Nasdaq Trading Down 1.9 %

The business's 50 day moving average price is $79.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The company has a market cap of $46.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.30, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.99.

Nasdaq (NASDAQ:NDAQ - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.02. Nasdaq had a return on equity of 14.82% and a net margin of 15.10%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Nasdaq, Inc. will post 3.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Nasdaq Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. Nasdaq's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Nasdaq

In other Nasdaq news, EVP Bryan Everard Smith sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.56, for a total value of $285,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 55,576 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,532,778.56. This trade represents a 5.92 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Jeremy Skule sold 12,075 shares of Nasdaq stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.75, for a total value of $950,906.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 102,505 shares in the company, valued at $8,072,268.75. The trade was a 10.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.70% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nasdaq

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rakuten Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Nasdaq during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Nasdaq during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Founders Capital Management acquired a new position in Nasdaq during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Claro Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nasdaq in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nasdaq in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. 72.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Nasdaq

Nasdaq, Inc operates as a technology company that serves capital markets and other industries worldwide. It operates in three segments: Capital Access Platforms, Financial Technology, and Market Services. The Capital Access Platforms segment sells and distributes historical and real-time market data; and develops and licenses Nasdaq-branded indices and financial products.