Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Shares Acquired by Stifel Financial Corp

Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 5.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 206,868 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 9,867 shares during the quarter. Stifel Financial Corp owned 0.18% of Rockwell Automation worth $59,124,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the third quarter worth about $1,348,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $464,000. Tidal Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 8,404 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $2,256,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Rockwell Automation by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 204,679 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $54,948,000 after purchasing an additional 11,161 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Rockwell Automation by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,347 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $671,000 after buying an additional 347 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.75% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on ROK shares. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $305.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $280.00 to $260.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on Rockwell Automation from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $248.00 to $201.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded Rockwell Automation from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Rockwell Automation has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $297.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Isaac Woods sold 876 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.03, for a total value of $248,810.28. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,057 shares in the company, valued at $300,219.71. This represents a 45.32 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, VP Terry L. Riesterer sold 850 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.21, for a total transaction of $255,178.50. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 1,633 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $490,242.93. This represents a 34.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 3,750 shares of company stock valued at $1,075,923. Company insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

Rockwell Automation Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ROK opened at $234.20 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $26.48 billion, a PE ratio of 29.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.08. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $260.22 and a 200-day moving average of $274.86. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a one year low of $215.00 and a one year high of $308.70.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 30.17% and a net margin of 11.38%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th will be given a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.24%. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.26%.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.

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