Nordson (NASDAQ:NDSN) Sets New 1-Year Low - What's Next?

Shares of Nordson Co. (NASDAQ:NDSN - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $206.80 and last traded at $207.46, with a volume of 19965 shares. The stock had previously closed at $211.27.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Baird R W downgraded shares of Nordson from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. DA Davidson reduced their price target on Nordson from $295.00 to $285.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 13th. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Nordson from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $237.00 target price (down previously from $294.00) on shares of Nordson in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $279.00.

Nordson Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a current ratio of 2.41. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $245.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of $244.87. The company has a market capitalization of $11.91 billion, a PE ratio of 25.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.90.

Nordson (NASDAQ:NDSN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 11th. The industrial products company reported $2.78 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.19. Nordson had a return on equity of 19.87% and a net margin of 17.37%. The firm had revenue of $744.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $736.83 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.46 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Nordson Co. will post 10.34 EPS for the current year.

Nordson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.78 per share. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. Nordson's payout ratio is 38.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Stephen Lovass sold 317 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.75, for a total transaction of $82,657.75. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 6,666 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,738,159.50. This represents a 4.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Jennifer L. Mcdonough sold 225 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $262.27, for a total value of $59,010.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 3,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $862,081.49. The trade was a 6.41 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 3,629 shares of company stock valued at $914,400 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NDSN. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Nordson in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC grew its position in Nordson by 70.7% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 140 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in Nordson by 130.0% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 161 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of Nordson by 2,387.5% in the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 199 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt purchased a new stake in shares of Nordson during the third quarter valued at $53,000. 72.11% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Nordson Company Profile

Nordson Corporation engineers, manufactures, and markets products and systems to dispense, apply, and control adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids worldwide. It operates through three segments: Industrial Precision Solutions; Medical and Fluid Solutions; and Advanced Technology Solutions.