Quantbot Technologies LP Acquires 5,710 Shares of WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC)

Quantbot Technologies LP increased its stake in shares of WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC - Free Report) by 210.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,417 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 5,710 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP owned 0.06% of WD-40 worth $2,171,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of WD-40 in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in WD-40 in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in WD-40 during the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in WD-40 by 41.3% during the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 226 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of WD-40 during the second quarter worth about $67,000. 91.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WD-40 Price Performance

NASDAQ WDFC traded up $2.82 on Friday, reaching $277.09. 66,721 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 105,452. The company has a quick ratio of 1.70, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market cap of $3.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.67 and a beta of -0.08. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $266.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $250.22. WD-40 has a 12 month low of $211.03 and a 12 month high of $292.36.

WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $156.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $149.20 million. WD-40 had a return on equity of 31.53% and a net margin of 11.79%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.21 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that WD-40 will post 5.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

WD-40 Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 18th were issued a dividend of $0.88 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 18th. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.27%. WD-40's dividend payout ratio is 68.88%.

Insider Transactions at WD-40

In other news, Director William B. Noble sold 800 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.98, for a total value of $205,584.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 8,999 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,312,563.02. This trade represents a 8.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.75% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. DA Davidson reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $322.00 price objective on shares of WD-40 in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of WD-40 from $250.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, October 18th.

WD-40 Company Profile

WD-40 Company develops and sells maintenance products, and homecare and cleaning products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides multi-purpose maintenance products that include aerosol sprays, non-aerosol trigger sprays, precision pens, and in liquid-bulk form products under the WD-40 Multi-Use brand name; specialty maintenance products, such as penetrants, degreasers, corrosion inhibitors, greases, lubricants, and rust removers under the WD-40 Specialist brand; and bike-specific products.