Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) Hits New 1-Year Low Following Weak Earnings

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low on Friday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The stock traded as low as $156.58 and last traded at $159.59, with a volume of 20063484 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $165.73.

The company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.57 by ($0.03). Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.00% and a net margin of 18.35%. The firm had revenue of $19.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.42 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.52 earnings per share.

Procter & Gamble Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 21st will be paid a $1.0568 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 21st. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.65%. This is a boost from Procter & Gamble's previous quarterly dividend of $1.01. Procter & Gamble's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.20%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have issued reports on PG. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $161.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Erste Group Bank upgraded Procter & Gamble from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Procter & Gamble from $176.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and issued a $164.00 price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Tuesday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $181.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 18,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.66, for a total value of $3,089,880.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 22,051 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,785,274.66. The trade was a 44.94 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Lakeridge Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Lakeridge Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,807 shares of the company's stock worth $1,812,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Unique Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 2.9% in the first quarter. Unique Wealth LLC now owns 2,141 shares of the company's stock valued at $365,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Stableford Capital II LLC grew its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.1% during the first quarter. Stableford Capital II LLC now owns 5,817 shares of the company's stock worth $993,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Colton Groome Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Colton Groome Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,995 shares of the company's stock worth $334,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bernard Wealth Management Corp. lifted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 20.2% in the 1st quarter. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. now owns 375 shares of the company's stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.77% of the company's stock.

Procter & Gamble Trading Down 3.7 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $374.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.41, a PEG ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.43. The business has a 50-day moving average of $168.24 and a 200-day moving average of $168.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.76.

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

Procter & Gamble Co engages in the provision of branded consumer packaged goods. It operates through the following segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric and Home Care, and Baby, Feminine and Family Care. The Beauty segment offers hair, skin, and personal care. The Grooming segment consists of shave care like female and male blades and razors, pre and post shave products, and appliances.

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