Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Boosts Holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 155.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 79,934 shares of the industrial products company's stock after acquiring an additional 48,677 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board owned approximately 0.07% of Rockwell Automation worth $22,844,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of ROK. West Oak Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation by 455.6% in the 4th quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Knuff & Co LLC increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 41.0% during the 4th quarter. Knuff & Co LLC now owns 141 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.75% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Isaac Woods sold 876 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction on Friday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.03, for a total transaction of $248,810.28. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,057 shares in the company, valued at $300,219.71. This trade represents a 45.32 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 293 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $257.68, for a total value of $75,500.24. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 1,922 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $495,260.96. The trade was a 13.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 3,750 shares of company stock valued at $1,075,923 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

Rockwell Automation Stock Up 2.3 %

Shares of ROK stock traded up $5.42 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $239.84. 924,261 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 869,603. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The company's 50-day moving average price is $260.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $274.86. The company has a market cap of $27.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.87, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.39. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 12 month low of $215.00 and a 12 month high of $308.70.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, topping 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%. On average, equities analysts expect that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be given a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.18%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 65.26%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on ROK. Stephens raised Rockwell Automation from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their target price for the stock from $275.00 to $350.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $315.00 to $337.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $280.00 to $260.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded Rockwell Automation from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $297.11.

Rockwell Automation Company Profile

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.