Norges Bank Makes New Investment in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR)

Norges Bank bought a new stake in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 641,751 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $73,468,000. Norges Bank owned about 1.16% of Whirlpool as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Savant Capital LLC raised its holdings in Whirlpool by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 2,406 shares of the company's stock valued at $275,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of Whirlpool by 17.3% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 664 shares of the company's stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 4.5% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,345 shares of the company's stock valued at $251,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its position in Whirlpool by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 15,300 shares of the company's stock worth $1,752,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Michigan Retirement System boosted its stake in Whirlpool by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 13,100 shares of the company's stock worth $1,500,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 90.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Whirlpool Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSE:WHR traded down $0.46 on Friday, reaching $85.66. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,816,597 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,050,638. The firm has a market cap of $4.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.62 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Whirlpool Co. has a 12-month low of $79.70 and a 12-month high of $135.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $99.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.70.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The company reported $4.57 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.31. Whirlpool had a negative net margin of 1.95% and a positive return on equity of 21.89%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.85 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Whirlpool Co. will post 9.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Whirlpool Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a $1.75 dividend. This represents a $7.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.17%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. Whirlpool's payout ratio is -119.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on WHR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Whirlpool from $125.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. StockNews.com raised shares of Whirlpool from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $106.00.

Whirlpool Company Profile

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.