Principal Financial Group Inc. Grows Stake in Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE:VSH)

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE:VSH - Free Report) by 4.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,691,437 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after acquiring an additional 117,692 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 1.98% of Vishay Intertechnology worth $45,593,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Vishay Intertechnology in the third quarter worth $113,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its stake in Vishay Intertechnology by 35.9% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 120,649 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $2,281,000 after purchasing an additional 31,863 shares in the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new position in shares of Vishay Intertechnology during the third quarter worth about $101,000. Semanteon Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Vishay Intertechnology during the third quarter worth about $343,000. Finally, Bernzott Capital Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Vishay Intertechnology during the third quarter worth about $5,378,000. 93.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, Chairman Marc Zandman sold 20,359 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.71, for a total transaction of $340,198.89. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 32,957 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $550,711.47. This represents a 38.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 8.14% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Vishay Intertechnology in a report on Monday, December 16th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $19.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com lowered Vishay Intertechnology from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th.

Vishay Intertechnology Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VSH traded down $0.42 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $18.67. 2,184,654 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,760,407. Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has a 1 year low of $14.95 and a 1 year high of $24.68. The stock has a market cap of $2.54 billion, a P/E ratio of -77.77 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a current ratio of 2.70, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $17.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $17.97.

Vishay Intertechnology Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 13th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 13th. Vishay Intertechnology's payout ratio is currently -166.67%.

About Vishay Intertechnology

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc manufactures and sells discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company operates through Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), Diodes, Optoelectronic Components, Resistors, Inductors, and Capacitors segments.